Shake-128 Hash Generator | Free Online XOF Hashing

Generate secure, variable-length hashes with our free SHAKE-128 Hash Generator – the power of SHA-3 with customizable output.

Note: SHAKE-128 is an extendable-output function (XOF). You can specify the desired output length.

Output Length (bytes):

Input Text:

Select File:

SHAKE-128 Hash Result:

In the world of modern cryptography, flexibility is a powerful asset. While standard hash functions like SHA-256 produce a fixed-length output, a new class of algorithms from the cutting-edge SHA-3 standard offers a revolutionary capability: generating a secure hash of any desired length. A Shake-128 Hash Generator is an online tool that gives you direct access to one of these powerful algorithms.

SHAKE-128 is an “Extendable-Output Function” (XOF) based on the innovative Keccak algorithm. It’s not just for data integrity; it’s a cryptographic building block for advanced applications like key derivation and stream ciphers. Our online Shake-128 Hash Generator unlocks this flexibility, allowing developers, cryptographers, and students to harness the power of this modern cryptographic primitive instantly and securely.

What is a Shake-128 Hash Generator?

A Shake-128 Hash Generator is an online cryptographic tool that uses the SHAKE-128 algorithm to create a unique digital fingerprint of any given data. What makes this tool truly special is that unlike traditional hash functions, it can produce an output of any length specified by the user.

“SHAKE” stands for Secure Hash Algorithm and Keccak Extendable. It is a key part of the modern SHA-3 family of cryptographic standards, which was the winner of a multi-year public competition held by NIST. The “128” in its name refers to its security strength: it provides up to 128 bits of security against all known standard attacks on hash functions.

The magic behind SHAKE-128’s variable-length output lies in its underlying “sponge construction,” inherited from the Keccak algorithm. This design works in two phases:

Absorbing: The algorithm’s internal state “absorbs” the input data, mixing it in block by block.
Squeezing: After all the input is absorbed, the sponge can be “squeezed” to produce a pseudorandom output stream of virtually infinite length. The user simply takes the number of bits they need from the beginning of this stream.

This makes a Shake-128 Hash Generator a powerful and flexible tool, going far beyond simple data integrity checks.

Here are some significant real-world technical use cases:

Cryptographic Key Derivation: This is a primary use case. Imagine an application needs to generate a 128-bit AES encryption key and a 96-bit authentication key from a single user password. A developer can feed the password into SHAKE-128 and request 224 bits (128+96) of output. The first 128 bits become the AES key, and the next 96 bits become the authentication key. This is a secure and standardized way to derive multiple keys from a single source of entropy.
Building a Stream Cipher: A stream cipher encrypts data by XORing it with a pseudorandom stream of bits. SHAKE-128 can be used to generate this stream. By using a secret key as the input (or “seed”) for SHAKE-128, it can produce a long, cryptographically secure keystream that can be used to encrypt a message of any length.
Randomized Padding Schemes: In some advanced cryptographic protocols, messages need to be padded with random-looking data. SHAKE-128 is a perfect tool for deterministically generating this padding from the message content itself, ensuring no new randomness needs to be introduced.
Hash-based Signatures: Some cutting-edge digital signature schemes, particularly those being researched for post-quantum security, require hash functions that can produce outputs of various non-standard lengths. SHAKE-128 and its sibling, SHAKE-256, are ideal for these applications.

Why Use a Shake-128 Hash Generator?

Using a Shake-128 Hash Generator opens up a world of cryptographic possibilities that are not available with traditional fixed-length hash functions. It’s a tool for modern, flexible, and secure system design.

Complete Control Over Output LengthThis is the defining feature and primary advantage. You are not limited to standard sizes like 256 or 512 bits. Whether you need a short 80-bit hash for a constrained environment or a very long 2048-bit hash for key derivation, SHAKE-128 can produce it on demand.
Modern SHA-3 Standard SecuritySHAKE-128 is built on the Keccak algorithm, the winner of the rigorous, multi-year SHA-3 competition held by NIST. This means you are using a thoroughly vetted, modern algorithm with a fundamentally different and more robust internal design than the older SHA-2 family.
Inherent Immunity to Length Extension AttacksThe sponge construction of SHAKE-128 makes it naturally immune to length extension attacks. This is a class of vulnerability that can affect all Merkle–Damgård-based hashes like MD5, SHA-1, and the entire SHA-2 family. With SHAKE, this vulnerability is eliminated by design.
More Than Just a Hash FunctionBecause it can produce a long, pseudorandom stream of data from a single seed, it functions as a high-quality, cryptographically secure Extendable-Output Function (XOF). This makes it a versatile building block for other cryptographic primitives like stream ciphers and key derivation functions (KDFs).
Instant and Accessible Online ToolOur Shake-128 Hash Generator provides a simple, web-based interface to this advanced cryptographic function. This allows anyone to experiment with, test, and utilize the power of XOFs without needing to install specialized libraries or write complex code.

How to Use the Shake-128 Hash Generator Tool

Our tool is designed to make this flexible hashing process simple and intuitive. Generating a custom-length SHAKE-128 hash takes just a few steps.

Step 1 – Provide Your Input Data

First, you need to input the data you wish to hash. You can either type or paste a text string directly into the primary input field, or you can click the “Upload” button to select a local file from your computer.

Step 2 – Specify the Desired Output Length

This is the crucial step that sets SHAKE apart. In the “Output Length (in bits)” field, enter the exact number of bits you want your final hash to be. For example, for a 256-bit hash, you would enter “256”.

Step 3 – Click the Generate Button

Once your data and desired output length are set, simply click the “Generate” button. This will initiate the SHAKE-128 algorithm, processing your data through the Keccak sponge and preparing to “squeeze” out the result.

Step 4 – Copy the Custom-Length Hash

The tool will display the unique, custom-length hash in the output field as a hexadecimal string. You can then click the “Copy” button to save the hash to your clipboard for use in your application or protocol.

Features of Our Shake-128 Hash Generator Tool

Our Shake-128 Hash Generator is engineered to be a reliable, secure, and user-friendly portal to this advanced cryptographic function.

100% Free and Web-Based: This powerful utility is available to all users completely free of charge, with no restrictions or usage limits.
No Registration or Login Needed: We provide immediate, frictionless access. You can start generating custom-length hashes the moment you arrive on the page.
User-Defined Output Length: The core feature of the tool, allowing you to specify the exact bit length of the hash you require.
Implements the Official FIPS 202 Standard: Our generator provides a precise implementation of the official NIST standard for SHA-3 and SHAKE, ensuring the hashes are accurate and secure.
Client-Side Processing for Maximum Privacy: Your privacy is essential. The entire hashing process is performed locally in your browser. Your sensitive data is never transmitted to our servers.

Who Can Benefit from a Shake-128 Hash Generator?

A Shake-128 Hash Generator is an advanced tool that is most valuable for professionals and students working on the cutting edge of cryptography, security, and system design.

Cryptographers and Security Protocol Designers: This is the primary audience. They use XOFs like SHAKE-128 as fundamental building blocks for creating new, secure protocols.
Advanced Software Developers: Those who need to implement custom cryptographic schemes, such as deriving multiple keys from a single master secret or building a custom stream cipher.
Hardware and Embedded Systems Engineers: For designing specialized systems where hashes of non-standard lengths are required for communication protocols or internal state management.
Cryptography and Cybersecurity Students: An invaluable hands-on tool for learning about and experimenting with the properties of Extendable-Output Functions and the SHA-3 family.
Researchers in Advanced Cryptography: For work in areas like post-quantum cryptography or hash-based signatures, which often rely on the flexibility of XOFs.

SHAKE-128 vs. SHA3-256 – Comparison Table

This comparison highlights the fundamental difference between an Extendable-Output Function (XOF) like SHAKE-128 and a standard, fixed-length hash function like SHA3-256.

Feature	SHAKE-128	SHA3-256
Function Type	✅ Extendable-Output Function (XOF). Its primary feature is its flexible output length.	❌ Fixed-Length Hash Function. It always produces an output of the same size.
Output Length	Any length specified by the user. You can generate a 100-bit hash or a 10,000-bit hash.	Always 256 bits. The output is a fixed-size, 64-character hexadecimal string.
Security Level	Provides up to 128 bits of security against all standard attacks.	Provides 128 bits of security against collision attacks.
Primary Use Case	Key derivation, building stream ciphers, generating custom-length hashes, and randomized padding schemes.	General data integrity, digital signatures, and any application requiring a standard 256-bit hash.
Flexibility	Very High. It is designed to be a flexible cryptographic primitive.	Low. It is designed to do one thing very well: produce a 256-bit hash.

Tools You May Find Useful

A Shake-128 Hash Generator is a specialized tool that exists within a larger ecosystem of cryptographic utilities. Understanding its context helps you choose the right tool for every job.

When working with the SHA-3 family, you may need a fixed-length hash. For that, the SHA3-256 Hash Generator or the SHA3-512 Hash Generator are the correct choices. For applications requiring a higher security level from an XOF, the Shake-256 Hash Generator is the appropriate sibling algorithm to use.

To compare these modern algorithms to the previous generation, you can use our SHA256 Hash Generator. Understanding the difference between SHA-3’s built-in resistance to length extension attacks and how it is mitigated in SHA-2 with an HMAC Generator is also crucial.

It’s important to distinguish one-way hashing from two-way Encryption-Decryption, which is used for confidentiality. Often, data is encoded before being processed; a Base64 Encode tool is perfect for this.

Finally, a complete developer’s toolkit includes tools for creating strong random inputs for your cryptographic functions, such as our Password Generator and Random String Generator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is SHAKE-128 and how is it different from SHA3-256?

SHAKE-128 is an Extendable-Output Function (XOF) from the SHA-3 family. The main difference is that SHAKE-128 can produce a hash of any length you specify, while SHA3-256 always produces a fixed 256-bit hash. They are different tools for different jobs.

What does the “128” in SHAKE-128 signify?

The “128” refers to the security strength of the algorithm. SHAKE-128 provides up to 128 bits of security against standard cryptographic attacks like collision finding. This means it would take approximately 2128 operations to break it, which is computationally infeasible.

Why would I need a hash of a custom length?

Custom-length hashes are essential for advanced cryptographic applications. A primary use is key derivation, where you might need to generate multiple keys of different, specific lengths (e.g., a 128-bit key and a 192-bit key) from a single master password.

Is SHAKE-128 secure?

Yes. It is based on the Keccak algorithm, which won the rigorous multi-year NIST competition to become the SHA-3 standard. It is considered a modern, secure cryptographic primitive.

Is SHAKE-128 better than SHA3-256?

Neither is “better”; they serve different purposes. If you need a standard, fixed-length 256-bit hash, SHA3-256 is the appropriate tool. If you need the flexibility of generating a hash of a non-standard or variable length, SHAKE-128 is the correct and more powerful choice.

Can SHAKE-128 be “cracked” or reversed?

No. Like all secure hash functions, SHAKE-128 is a one-way function. It is computationally impossible to determine the original input from its output, regardless of the output length.

Is it safe to use this online SHAKE-128 generator for sensitive data?

Yes. Our tool is designed for maximum privacy. All calculations are performed client-side in your web browser. Your sensitive data is never transmitted to our servers, ensuring it remains completely confidential.