NTLM Hash Generator

The NTLM Hash Generator is a free online cryptographic tool that generates NTLM (NT LAN Manager) hash values for text or files. NTLM is a Microsoft authentication protocol used in Windows environments for network authentication. Our tool generates the NTLM hash (also known as NTLM hash or NT hash) which is the MD4 hash of the password converted to UTF-16LE (little-endian) format.

What is NTLM?

NTLM (NT LAN Manager) is a Microsoft authentication protocol used in Windows networks for authentication and authorization. The NTLM hash is a cryptographic representation of a password that is used for authentication in Windows systems. It's derived from the MD4 hash of the password converted to UTF-16LE format.

NTLM hashing is used in:

Windows Authentication: Used for local and domain authentication in Windows systems
Network Authentication: Used in SMB (Server Message Block) and other Windows network protocols
Active Directory: Used for password storage and authentication in Active Directory environments
Legacy Systems: Still used in older Windows systems and some network protocols

How Does NTLM Hashing Work?

The NTLM hash generation process involves several steps:

Password Input: The password is received as input (text or file)
UTF-16LE Conversion: The password is converted to UTF-16LE (little-endian) format, where each character is represented as two bytes in little-endian order
MD4 Hashing: The UTF-16LE bytes are hashed using the MD4 algorithm
Hash Output: The resulting hash is displayed as a 32-character hexadecimal string (128 bits)

The NTLM hash is a one-way function, meaning you cannot reverse it to get the original password. However, NTLM hashes are vulnerable to rainbow table attacks and brute force attacks, which is why modern systems use more secure hashing methods.

How to Use the NTLM Hash Generator

Choose Input Method: Select between text input or file upload using the tabs
Enter Your Data: Type your text in the text area or select a file to hash
Auto-Generation: The hash is automatically generated as you type (with a 500ms delay)
Manual Generation: Alternatively, click the "Generate NTLM Hash" button to create the hash
Copy Result: Use the copy button to copy the generated hash to your clipboard
Clear All: Use the "Clear All" button to reset all fields

Key Features

Text Input: Generate NTLM hashes from text input with real-time generation
File Input: Generate NTLM hashes from uploaded files
Real-time Generation: Automatic hash generation as you type (with debounce)
UTF-16LE Conversion: Proper conversion to UTF-16LE format as required by NTLM
MD4 Hashing: Uses MD4 algorithm for authentic NTLM hash generation
Copy to Clipboard: One-click copy functionality
Client-side Processing: All hashing is done in your browser - your data never leaves your device
Uppercase Output: Hash is displayed in uppercase hexadecimal format (standard NTLM format)

NTLM Hash Format

The NTLM hash is always 32 hexadecimal characters (128 bits) in length. It's typically displayed in uppercase format. For example:

Input: "password123"
NTLM Hash: "8846F7EAEE8FB117AD06BDD830B7586C"

The hash is case-insensitive when used for comparison, but the standard format is uppercase.

Use Cases

Windows System Administration: Generate NTLM hashes for testing and verification
Security Testing: Test password policies and hash verification in Windows environments
Forensic Analysis: Generate hashes for comparison with extracted Windows password hashes
Legacy System Support: Work with older Windows systems that use NTLM authentication
Educational Purposes: Learn about NTLM hashing and Windows authentication mechanisms
Password Verification: Verify NTLM hashes in security assessments and penetration testing

Security Considerations

Vulnerability: NTLM hashes are vulnerable to rainbow table attacks and brute force attacks
No Salt: NTLM hashes do not use salt, making them easier to crack
MD4 Weakness: MD4 is considered cryptographically broken and should not be used for new applications
Modern Alternatives: Modern systems use NTLMv2, Kerberos, or other more secure authentication methods
Password Storage: Never store NTLM hashes in plain text or transmit them over unencrypted connections
Legacy Use Only: NTLM should only be used for legacy system compatibility, not for new applications

NTLM vs NTLMv2

It's important to distinguish between NTLM (also called NTLMv1) and NTLMv2:

NTLM (NTLMv1): The original NTLM protocol using MD4 hashing (what this tool generates)
NTLMv2: An improved version with enhanced security features, including HMAC-MD5 and challenge-response mechanisms

NTLMv2 is more secure than NTLM but still considered less secure than modern alternatives like Kerberos.

Technical Details

Algorithm: MD4 (Message Digest 4)
Input Encoding: UTF-16LE (little-endian)
Output Format: 32-character hexadecimal string (128 bits)
Output Case: Uppercase (standard format)
Hash Length: 128 bits (16 bytes)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between NTLM hash and NTLMv2 hash?

The NTLM hash (NTLMv1) is the MD4 hash of the password in UTF-16LE format. NTLMv2 is an improved version that uses HMAC-MD5 and includes additional security features like challenge-response mechanisms. This tool generates the original NTLM hash (NTLMv1).

Is NTLM hash secure?

No, NTLM hashes are not considered secure by modern standards. They are vulnerable to rainbow table attacks, brute force attacks, and MD4 is cryptographically broken. NTLM should only be used for legacy system compatibility. Modern systems should use NTLMv2, Kerberos, or other secure authentication methods.

Can I reverse an NTLM hash to get the original password?

No, NTLM hashing is a one-way function. However, due to the weaknesses of MD4 and the lack of salt, NTLM hashes are vulnerable to rainbow table attacks and brute force attacks, which can often recover the original password if it's weak or common.

Why does NTLM use UTF-16LE encoding?

NTLM uses UTF-16LE (little-endian) encoding because it's the native character encoding used by Windows systems. Each character is represented as two bytes in little-endian order, which matches how Windows internally handles Unicode strings.

What is the length of an NTLM hash?

An NTLM hash is always 32 hexadecimal characters long, representing 128 bits (16 bytes). This is because MD4 produces a 128-bit hash output.

Can I use this tool for password hashing in my application?

No, you should not use NTLM hashing for new applications. NTLM is considered insecure and should only be used for legacy system compatibility. For new applications, use modern password hashing algorithms like bcrypt, Argon2, or PBKDF2 with proper salt.

Report Tool or Give Us Suggestions