Hex Binary Converter

Hex to Binary Converter - Convert Hexadecimal to Binary Online

Our free hex to binary converter allows you to instantly convert hexadecimal numbers (base-16) to binary numbers (base-2). Whether you're working with computer systems, digital circuits, programming, or learning number systems, our converter makes it easy to transform hexadecimal values to binary format.

What is Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion?

Hexadecimal to binary conversion is the process of transforming numbers from the hexadecimal number system (base-16, using digits 0-9 and letters A-F) to the binary number system (base-2, using digits 0 and 1). This conversion is essential in computer science, as hexadecimal is commonly used to represent binary data in a more compact and readable format.

How Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion Works

Conversion Method

Hexadecimal to binary conversion can be done in two ways:

1. Direct Method: Convert each hex digit directly to its 4-bit binary equivalent
2. Decimal Method: Convert hex to decimal first, then decimal to binary

Direct Conversion Method

Each hexadecimal digit corresponds to a 4-bit binary number:

• 0 = 0000
• 1 = 0001
• 2 = 0010
• 3 = 0011
• 4 = 0100
• 5 = 0101
• 6 = 0110
• 7 = 0111
• 8 = 1000
• 9 = 1001
• A = 1010
• B = 1011
• C = 1100
• D = 1101
• E = 1110
• F = 1111

Example Conversion

Converting FF (hex) to binary:

• F = 1111 (binary)
• F = 1111 (binary)

Result: FF (hex) = 11111111 (binary) = 255 (decimal)

Converting 1A3 (hex) to binary:

• 1 = 0001
• A = 1010
• 3 = 0011

Result: 1A3 (hex) = 000110100011 (binary) = 419 (decimal)

Key Features of Our Hex to Binary Converter

⚡ Real-time Conversion

Convert hexadecimal to binary instantly as you type. No need to click buttons - see the binary result immediately with automatic updates.

🔄 Bidirectional Conversion

Our converter supports both hex to binary and binary to hex conversion. Simply switch the conversion direction using the dropdown menu.

✅ Input Validation

Our converter validates that input contains only valid hexadecimal digits (0-9, A-F) or binary digits (0-1) and provides clear error messages for invalid input.

📊 Conversion Details

See the complete conversion information including the input value, intermediate decimal value, and final output for easy verification.

📋 Copy & Download

Copy the binary or hex result to your clipboard or download it as a text file for use in your projects.

🔒 Privacy & Security

All conversion happens entirely in your browser. We don't store, log, or transmit your data to our servers.

Common Use Cases

Computer Programming

Convert hexadecimal values to binary for bitwise operations, binary file formats, network protocols, memory addresses, and low-level programming tasks.

Digital Electronics

Convert hexadecimal values to binary for circuit design, signal processing, hardware debugging, microcontroller programming, and register configurations.

Computer Science Education

Learn and understand number system conversions, practice converting between different bases, and study how computers represent data in hexadecimal and binary formats.

Network Configuration

Convert MAC addresses, IPv6 addresses, and network configurations from hexadecimal to binary format for network administration and troubleshooting.

Data Encoding

Convert hexadecimal values to binary for data encoding, compression algorithms, cryptographic operations, and file format analysis.

Color Codes

Convert hexadecimal color codes (like #FF5733) to binary for understanding how colors are represented in digital systems.

Understanding Hexadecimal Number System

The hexadecimal number system uses 16 digits: 0-9 and A-F. Each position in a hexadecimal number represents a power of 16:

• Rightmost position: 16⁰ = 1
• Next position: 16¹ = 16
• Next position: 16² = 256
• Next position: 16³ = 4096
• And so on...

For example, the hexadecimal number 1A3 represents:

• 1 × 16² = 256
• A (10) × 16¹ = 160
• 3 × 16⁰ = 3
• Total: 256 + 160 + 3 = 419 (decimal)

Why Use Hexadecimal?

Hexadecimal is widely used in computing because:

• Compact Representation: One hex digit represents 4 binary bits, making it easier to read and write binary data
• Memory Addresses: Computer memory addresses are often displayed in hexadecimal
• Color Codes: Web colors are specified in hexadecimal format (e.g., #FF0000 for red)
• Debugging: Hex dumps are commonly used for debugging and analyzing binary data
• File Formats: Many file formats use hexadecimal for headers and metadata

Tips for Using the Converter

• 0x Prefix: The converter automatically removes the "0x" prefix if present (e.g., 0xFF is treated as FF)
• Case Insensitive: Both uppercase (A-F) and lowercase (a-f) hex digits are accepted
• Spaces: Spaces in input are automatically removed for convenience
• Large Numbers: The converter can handle very large hexadecimal numbers, converting them to their binary equivalents
• File Upload: You can upload a file containing hexadecimal numbers for batch conversion
• Bidirectional: Use the dropdown to switch between hex-to-binary and binary-to-hex conversion