What is the hash value output size for MD5?

The hash value output size for MD5 is indeed 128 bits. MD5, which stands for Message-Digest Algorithm 5, is widely used to produce a fixed-size hash value (or digest) from an input of arbitrary size. The process takes an input and produces a 128-bit hash, which is typically represented as a 32-character hexadecimal number.

When considering the capacity and limitations of MD5, it is essential to recognize that the 128-bit output size makes it suitable for various applications, such as checksums and basic data integrity verification. However, the relatively small size also contributes to its vulnerabilities, particularly to collision attacks, where two different inputs can produce the same hash value. This characteristic has led to MD5 being considered less secure for cryptographic purposes over time, but it is still used in non-security critical contexts due to its speed and simplicity in hashing large files or strings.