RIPEMD-160 Hash Code Calculator

RIPEMD-160 is a cryptographic hash function that takes an input (or message) and produces a fixed-size, 160-bit (20-byte) output, commonly represented as a 40-character hexadecimal number.

RIPEMD (RACE Integrity Primitives Evaluation Message Digest) is a family of cryptographic hash functions designed to provide data integrity through hashing. It was developed in the mid-1990s as part of the EU’s RACE (Research and Development in Advanced Communications Technologies in Europe) project.

The 160 bit version of RIPEMD is still considered secure and is the most used variant, perhaps most famously in Bitcoin, where it is used alongside SHA-256 to generate addresses.

Full disclosure: I did not write the specific implementation of the hash function used on this page. It is a standard function included with the PHP programming language. I only made the web interface to make it publicly available here for convenience.

About the RIPEMD-160 Hash Algorithm

I'm neither a mathematician nor a cryptographer, but I'll try to explain how this hash function works in a way that non-mathematicians can understand. If you prefer the scientifically exact full-on mathematical explanation instead, I'm sure you can find that on plenty of other websites ;-)

RIPEMD uses a Merkle-Damgård construction, which is something it has in common with the SHA-2 family of hash algorithms. I have described those as working similar to a blender on other pages, and the same holds true for RIPEMD:

Step 1 - Preparation (Padding the Data)

• First, RIPEMD makes sure the "ingredients" fit perfectly in the blender. If not, it adds some extra "filler" to round it out (this is like padding the data).

Step 2 - Starting the Blender (Initialization)

• The blender starts with a specific setting - like speed, power, and blade position. These are special starting values called initialization vectors.

Step 3 - Mixing Process (Crunching the Data)

• Here's the cool part: RIPEMD doesn't just have one set of blades. It has two blenders working side-by-side (left and right).
• Each blender processes the ingredients differently. One chops while the other grinds, using different speeds, directions, and blade patterns.
• They mix, swap, and twist the data 80 times (like blending in cycles to make sure everything is perfectly mixed).

Step 4 - Final Blend (Combining Results)

• After all that mixing, RIPEMD combines the results from both blenders into one final, smooth hash.

The 160 bit variant is the most common used version of RIPEMD, particularly due to its use in generating Bitcoin addresses alongside SHA-256.