A typical hash function at work. Note that the hash sums always are the same size, no matter how short or long the input is and also note that the hash sums look very different even when there are only slight differences in the input.

The hash sums seen here (in hexadecimal format) are actually the SHA-1 hash sums of those text examples.

Original illustration for Wikipedia.

SVG development

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This work has been released into the public domain by its author, helix84. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: helix84 grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

Based on Image:Hash function long.png, remade as vector graphics.