SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value, rendered as a 64-character hexadecimal number. It is the most widely used SHA-2 variant.
SHA-256 is the most commonly used hash function in the SHA-2 family. It is used extensively in security applications and protocols, including TLS/SSL, Bitcoin, and many others.