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I want to know if having a 8-byte hash value is better than 16-byte hash value for use within hash trees.

My mind tells me that the shorter the hash value, the better. But doesn't a smaller hash value make it easier to invert? More strings would lead to the same hash value.

I guess this is very opinion-based, but I'd like to hear different reasoning for your answers.

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  • $\begingroup$ Cryptographically secure hash functions typically have an output length of 160 bits or greater. Are you referring to non-cryptographic hash function used for hash trees? $\endgroup$ – Henrick Hellström Jul 13 '13 at 19:53
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, I am. Sorry for the miswording. $\endgroup$ – Thomas Gouder Jul 13 '13 at 19:56
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The shorter the hash value the less effort for the attacker to brute force it. If the output is 16bytes then the attacker must spend $2^{128/2}$ "time" to find a collision. If it was 8bytes it would need $2^{64/2}$

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  • $\begingroup$ You sir, just answered my question. Awesome! $\endgroup$ – Thomas Gouder Jul 13 '13 at 20:05
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    $\begingroup$ I'm glad you have your answer, but I'm not so sure if I get the question. $\endgroup$ – Maarten Bodewes♦ Jul 13 '13 at 21:32

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