How to Convert Hex to Binary and Binary to Hexadecimal
Hexadecimal is a number base system used for conveniently representing bytes of data as two characters.
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The Hexadecimal Numbering System
The base 16, also known as hexadecimal (abbreviated to hex) numbering system is regularly used in computer coding for conveniently representing a nibble, byte, or word of data. This guide shows you how to convert from hex to binary and binary to hexadecimal.
Decimal, the Base 10 Numbering System
Before we learn how to convert hex to binary, let’s try and understand how the base 10 system works.
The decimal, also known as the denary or base 10 numbering system that we use in everyday life makes use of ten symbols or numerals: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
So to count you start with 0, then continue 1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9
What happens when you get to ten? There’s no numeral for ten, so it’s represented as
10
Which means 1 ten and no units
Similarly, when you get to 99, there’s no numeral for one hundred, so you write one hundred as 100.
So writing a number in the base 10 system involves using numerals in a “units”, “tens”, “hundreds”, “thousands” place, and so on
So 145 really means “one hundred, 4 tens and 5 units” although we just think of it as the number one hundred and forty-five.
Hexadecimal, the Base 16 Numbering System
Hexadecimal or “hex” is a numbering system that uses 16 different numerals. We saw that decimal used ten numerals from 0 to 9. Hex expands on this by adding six more, the capital letters A, B, C, D, E, and F.
So to count from 0 to 9 you go 0…1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9
But what happens next?
Simply continue with A…B…C…D…E…F which represents 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 decimal.
So now to count to 15 we go 0…1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…A…B…C…D…E…F
In the decimal system, we saw that when we got to nine, there was no numeral for ten so it was represented as 10 or “one ten and no units”.
In the hex system when we get to F which is 15 decimal, we have to represent the next number sixteen as 10 or “one 16 and no units”.
Binary, the Base 2 Numbering System
The binary system used by computers is based on 2 numerals; 0 and 1. So you count 0, 1, there is no numeral for 2, so 2 is represented by 10 or “one 2 and no units”. In the same way that there is a units, tens, hundreds, thousands place in the decimal system, in the binary system there is a units, twos, fours, eights, sixteens place etc. in the binary system.
Decimal to Hex and Binary Table
Binary, decimal and hex equivalents.
Indicating the Base of a Number
If a number isn’t decimal (base 10), the base can be explicitly indicated by a subscript to avoid confusion. Sometimes the subscript is omitted to avoid excessive detail if the base has been specified earlier in a discussion or if numbers are listed in a table (e.g. numbers may be indicated as hex in the title of the table).
So for instance 1F hex (31 decimal) can be written 1F₁₆
Steps to Convert Hex to Binary
Hex is very easy to convert to binary.
- Write down the hex number and represent each hex digit by its binary equivalent number from the table above.
- Use 4 digits and add insignificant leading zeros if the binary number has less than 4 digits. E.g. Write 10₂ (2 decimal) as 0010₂.
- Then concatenate or string all the digits together.
- Discard any leading zeros at the left of the binary number.
Most Significant Bit (MSB) and Least Significant Bit (LSB)
For a binary number, the most significant bit (MSB) is the digit furthermost to the left of the number and the least significant bit (LSB) is the rightmost digit.
Steps to Convert Binary to Hex
Binary is also easy to convert to hex.
- Start from the least significant bit (LSB) at the right of the binary number and divide it up into groups of 4 digits. (4 digital bits is called a “nibble”).
- Convert each group of 4 binary digits to its equivalent hex value (see table above).
- Concatenate the results together, giving the total hex number.
Test Yourself!
For each question, choose the best answer. The answer key is below.
- Convert ABCD hex to binary
- 10101010
- 1010101111001101
- 1111111011001101
- 1111000011101010
2 . What is 10101010 in hex?
- AA
- FF
- FD
- 1010
3. Convert FFFF to decimal
- 15151515
- 255255
- 65,535
- 3125
Answer Key
- 1010101111001101
- AA
- 65,535
What is Hex Used For?
Because of the ease of converting from hex to binary and vice versa, it’s a convenient shorthand for representing byte values i.e. numbers from 0 to 255. Also, it is compact, requiring only 2 digits for a byte and 4 digits for a word.
Typical uses of hex:
- Hex dumps are listings of the bytes in a file in hex format.
- Assembly language is written as a series of mnemonic (short, easy to remember word) instructions for a microprocessor. The operand (the data operated on by an opcode) is commonly specified as a hex value. It’s also used to indicate the storage location of data
Example of assembly language instruction
In the short code segment below, MOV is the opcode (instruction) and 61 hex is the operand that the opcode acts on. AL is a register that stores a value temporarily so that arithmetic can be done on it before it’s moved to memory. A program called an assembler converts the human-understandable assembly language to machine code.
MOV AL, 61H ; Load AL register with 61 hex (97 decimal )
Assembly Language Program for an 8 Bit Microprocessor
Hex Dump of a File
ASCII Code Table
How to Convert Decimal to Binary
To convert decimal to binary and binary to decimal, see my other guide:
How to Convert Decimal to Binary and Binary to Decimal
What is Binary Used For?
For more details on how binary is used in computer systems and digital electronics, see my other article:
Why is Binary Used In Computers and Electronics?
How to Convert Hex to Decimal
You can convert hex to decimal by simply multiplying each hex numeral by the placeholder’s value as a power of 16 and adding the result. (F₁₆ = 15 decimal and A₁₆ = 10 decimal)
Example: What is the decimal equivalent of 52FA₁₆ ?
52FA₁₆ = 5 x 16³ + 2 x 16² + 15 x 16¹ + 10 x 16⁰
= 5 x 4096 + 2 x 256 + 15 x 16 + 10 x 1
= 21,242
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Disclaimer
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
This story was first published on Owlcation on 12th June, 2018
