# RIPEMD-160

Source URL: https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/ripemd-160
Updated: 2026-05-26T17:15:07.000Z
Letter: R

---

RIPEMD-160 (RIPE Message Digest) is a cryptographic hash function producing a 160-bit (20-byte) hash value. There are five functions in the family: RIPEMD, RIPEMD-128, RIPEMD-160, RIPEMD-256, and RIPEMD-320, of which RIPEMD-160 is the most common.

RIPEMD-160 is used in Bitcoin to compress [SHA-256](https://support.dxp-staging.blockstream.com/education/glossary/sha-256) hashed public keys into a shorter format as part of the process of generating Bitcoin addresses. This ensures that addresses are of a manageable length and maintains the cryptographic security of the Bitcoin network. 

The process is as follows:

First, a user's public key is hashed using SHA-256, resulting in a 256-bit hash. Next, this hash is processed using RIPEMD-160, which reduces it to a 160-bit hash. This step is crucial because it creates a shorter, more manageable hash.

The resulting RIPEMD-160 hash undergoes further processing and includes adding a version byte, creating a [checksum](https://support.dxp-staging.blockstream.com/education/glossary/checksum) through double SHA-256 hashing, and encoding it with Base58Check. 

These steps together create the final Bitcoin address, which users can share to send and receive bitcoin.

Navigation: Blockstream Help Center > Education > Glossary > RIPEMD-160

## Related Terms in This Letter
- [RISC-V](https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/risc-v)
- [RPC](https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/rcp)
- [REST API](https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/rest-api)
- [ROAST](https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/roast)
- [Real-world assets (RWAs)](https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/real-world-assets-rwas)
- [Rangeproofs](https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/rangeproofs)
- [RIPEMD-160](https://help.blockstream.com/education/glossary/ripemd-160) (current)