BLAKE3
BLAKE3 further optimizes BLAKE2 with binary-tree parallelization; far faster than BLAKE2, it also supports XOF and MAC modes.
Purpose
Delivers extreme performance and parallelization while supporting extendable output and keyed MAC.
Mechanism
Built on the BLAKE2b compression function, using a binary tree to chunk input for parallel processing (each chunk compressed independently, then merged). Output can be any length (XOF). Supports keyed mode (MAC) and key derivation mode (KDF). Default output is 256 bits.
Use cases
- Ultra-large file hashing
- Parallel content addressing
- Bazel build system cache
- High-performance deduplication
Examples
- Input
helloOutputea48e8b6e1c3c3c3c3c3c3c3c3c3c3c3...256-bit default
Common errors
- Performance below expectations because parallelism is not exploited
- Use tree mode on multi-core environments
Related terms
BLAKE2
BLAKE2 is a hash function designed by Jean-Philippe Aumasson et al.; faster than MD5 with security comparable to SHA-3, a high-performance alternative to SHA-2/3. GLOSSARY
SHA-3 (Keccak)
SHA-3 is the hash standard based on the Keccak sponge construction; structurally entirely different from SHA-2, it serves as a fallback in case SHA-2 is broken. GLOSSARY
SHA-256
SHA-256 is the 256-bit-output member of the SHA-2 family, widely used in TLS, blockchains, and cryptographic applications, with no known practical attacks. GLOSSARY