Huh from IRB it shows 256 when I just went through it like you did, but I know for sure earlier in my program it was saying 255 because it was driving me crazy why it wasn't 256. I must have done it differently or something. Anyway thanks! I have one more question and then will leave you all alone :P why is it if I do this hash = OpenSSL::Digest::SHA256.new test_hash_value = hash << "anything" puts test_hash_value.length it says 64 instead of 32 (*8 should = 256 but is equal to 512?) Is it because of something to do with hex? -- Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.