Free RIPEMD-128 Hash Generator — Generate 128-Bit RIPEMD Hashes Online

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What Is RIPEMD-128?

RIPEMD-128 (RACE Integrity Primitives Evaluation Message Digest) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit (16-byte) hash output. Developed in 1996 by Hans Dobbertin, Antoon Bosselaers, and Bart Preneel as part of the EU's RIPE project, RIPEMD-128 was designed as a strengthened replacement for the original RIPEMD algorithm.

Use this free tool to generate RIPEMD-128 hashes from any text input — instantly and without any software installation.

RIPEMD-128 in Context

The RIPEMD family was created in Europe as an independent alternative to US-developed hash functions like MD5 and SHA-1. While RIPEMD-160 became the more widely adopted variant (notably used in Bitcoin), RIPEMD-128 serves specific purposes:

  • Fast computation — Shorter output means faster processing
  • Compact hashes — 32-character hex output is space-efficient for checksums
  • Legacy compatibility — Used in systems designed in the late 1990s and early 2000s
  • Non-cryptographic integrity — Suitable for data integrity checks where collision resistance isn't critical

Security Considerations

Is RIPEMD-128 Secure?

RIPEMD-128 provides only 64-bit collision resistance, which is considered insufficient for cryptographic security by modern standards. Birthday attacks can find collisions in approximately 2^64 operations — within reach of well-resourced attackers.

When to Use RIPEMD-128

RIPEMD-128 is appropriate for:

  • Non-security-critical checksums and data integrity verification
  • Legacy system compatibility
  • Hash table indexing and data deduplication
  • Educational and research purposes

For security-sensitive applications, use SHA-3/256 or SHA-256 instead.

How to Use the RIPEMD-128 Generator

  1. Enter your text in the input field above
  2. Click Generate to compute the RIPEMD-128 hash
  3. Copy the resulting 32-character hexadecimal string
  4. Use for checksums, data verification, or legacy system integration

Common Use Cases

  • File checksums — Quick integrity verification for non-sensitive data
  • Database indexing — Compact hash keys for record lookup
  • Data deduplication — Identify duplicate files or content efficiently
  • Legacy protocol support — Interface with older systems requiring RIPEMD-128
  • Educational purposes — Study cryptographic hash function design and properties

Best Practices

  • Do not use for security-critical applications — 128-bit output means only 64-bit collision resistance
  • Consider RIPEMD-160 or SHA-256 for new projects — Both offer significantly stronger security
  • Use for checksums, not authentication — Fine for data integrity, not for digital signatures or password hashing
  • Document your algorithm choice — Note why RIPEMD-128 was selected for audit clarity

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is RIPEMD-128 the same as MD5?

No. While both produce 128-bit hashes, they use different algorithms. RIPEMD-128 uses a dual-path design with independent parallel computations, while MD5 uses a single-path Merkle-Damgård structure. RIPEMD-128 was designed to be more resistant to the attacks that broke MD5, though neither is recommended for security today.

What does a RIPEMD-128 hash look like?

A RIPEMD-128 hash is a 32-character hexadecimal string. For example: cdf26213a150dc3ecb610f18f6b38b46.

Should I use RIPEMD-128 or RIPEMD-160?

Use RIPEMD-160 whenever possible. It provides 80-bit collision resistance vs RIPEMD-128's 64-bit, and is much more widely supported and tested. RIPEMD-128 should only be used for legacy compatibility or non-security purposes.

Is RIPEMD-128 used in Bitcoin?

No. Bitcoin uses RIPEMD-160 (combined with SHA-256) for address generation. RIPEMD-128 is not used in any major cryptocurrency protocol.

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