An apparatus and method for implementing a unified hash algorithm pipeline. In one embodiment, a cryptographic unit may include hash logic configured to compute a hash value of a data block according to a hash algorithm, where the hash algorithm is dynamically selectable from a plurality of hash algorithms, and where the hash logic comprises a plurality of pipeline stages each configured to compute a portion of the hash algorithm. The cryptographic unit may further include a word buffer configured to store the data block during computing by the hash logic.