What Is a NACHA Entry Hash?

A NACHA Entry Hash is the total of all Receiving DFI Identification numbers in the Entry Detail Records of a batch. If the total exceeds 10 digits, the leftmost digits are truncated, and only the rightmost 10 digits are used.

Why NACHA Entry Hash Matters (And Why Files Get Rejected)

ACH files are rejected more often than people realize — and one of the most common reasons is an incorrect entry hash.

The entry hash acts as a control total. Banks use it to verify that:

• The file wasn’t altered
• No transactions were added or removed
• Routing data is consistent

If the recalculated hash doesn’t match, your ACH file validation can fail — leading to payment delays, rejections, and manual rework.

The good news?
Once you understand how it works, calculating it is straightforward.

Understanding Where Entry Hash Comes From in a NACHA File

Before calculating the entry hash, it helps to know where it lives in a NACHA file.

Key NACHA File Records (Simplified)

1. File Header Record

 Identifies the file origin, destination, and creation details.

1. Batch Header Record

 Contains company information, effective entry date, and SEC code.

1. Entry Detail Record  (This is what matters for entry hash)

 Holds individual transaction details, including:

 

• Receiving DFI Identification
• Account number
• Amount

1. Batch Control Record

 Stores totals, including:

• Entry hash
• Total debit amount
• Total credit amount

1. File Control Record

 Final totals for the entire file.

The Entry Hash is calculated only from the Receiving DFI Identification fields in Entry Detail Records, not from amounts or account numbers.

Step-by-Step | How to Calculate NACHA Entry Hash?

Step 1:  Gather Receiving DFI Identification Numbers

From each Entry Detail Record, extract the Receiving DFI Identification (the first 8 digits of the routing number).

Step 2: Add All Receiving DFI IDs Together

Add the numbers numerically, not as strings.

Example:

• 12345678
• 87654321
• 56781234

Calculation:
12345678 + 87654321 + 56781234 = 156781233

Step 3: Truncate If the Total Exceeds 10 Digits

If the total has more than 10 digits, remove digits from the left.

Example:
Total = 12345678901
Entry Hash = 2345678901

 If it’s already 10 digits or fewer, no truncation is needed.

Common NACHA Entry Hash Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Using Full Routing Numbers

Only the Receiving DFI Identification (first 8 digits) should be used — not the check digit.

Forgetting Truncation

If the sum exceeds 10 digits and you don’t truncate, the file will be rejected.

Manual Math Errors

Large batches increase the risk of miscalculation.

Including Addenda Data

Addenda records do not affect the entry hash.

How ACHGenie Simplifies Entry Hash Calculation?

Manually calculating entry hashes works — until it doesn’t.

ACHgenie  automates the entire process, including:

• Automatic entry hash calculation
• Built-in truncation handling
• ABA number validation with FedACH updates
• Editing and fixing files that other tools can’t open
• Rebalancing ACH files totals after changes

Instead of troubleshooting rejections, you get clean, compliant NACHA files in seconds.

Manual NACHA Entry Hash Calculation vs ACHGenie 

Manual Calculation vs ACHGenie : Which Is Better?

Feature	Manual Calculation	ACHGenie
Entry Hash Calculation	Prone to human error	Fully automated
Truncation Handling	Often missed	Automatic & compliant
ABA Validation	Manual lookup required	Built-in FedACH database
Large File Handling	Time-consuming	Handles thousands of entries in seconds
Error Detection	Reactive (after rejection)	Proactive validation
File Editing	Requires text editor	Visual + raw line editing
Rebalancing After Changes	Manual recalculation	One-click rebalance
Risk of ACH Rejection	High	Extremely low
Time Spent Per File	30–90 minutes	Under 5 minutes

The Bottom Line

Manual NACHA entry hash calculation may work for very small batches, but it does not scale and introduces unnecessary risk.

ACHgenie  eliminates guesswork by automating validation, calculation, and correction — reducing ACH rejections and operational overhead.

Stop ACH Rejections Before They Happen

Manual NACHA entry hash calculation is one of the most common causes of ACH file rejections — not because it’s difficult, but because it’s easy to get wrong at scale.

ACHGenie  removes that risk entirely.

With ACHgenie, You Can

• Automatically calculate and rebalance entry hashes
• Instantly validate ABA routing numbers
• Open and fix corrupted NACHA file other tools reject
• Edit files visually or at raw-line level
• Prevent ACH rejections before submission

Instead of spending hours troubleshooting rejected files, your team can focus on processing payments with confidence.

Download ACHgenie