Decimal to Hexadecimal Converter
Convert decimal numbers to hexadecimal format
How to Use
- Enter the decimal number you want to convert
- Click the convert button to see the hexadecimal result
- View the hexadecimal value along with binary and octal conversions
- Use the recalculate button to convert another number
What is Hexadecimal?
Hexadecimal (or hex) is a base-16 number system that uses 16 distinct symbols: 0-9 to represent values zero to nine, and A-F to represent values ten to fifteen. It's widely used in computing and digital electronics because it provides a more human-friendly representation of binary-coded values.
Each hexadecimal digit represents exactly four binary digits (bits), making conversion between binary and hexadecimal straightforward. This is why hexadecimal is commonly used in programming, especially when dealing with memory addresses, color codes, and data encoding.
How Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Works
Converting decimal to hexadecimal involves repeatedly dividing the decimal number by 16 and recording the remainders. The hexadecimal result is obtained by reading these remainders from bottom to top.
For example, to convert 255 to hexadecimal: 255 ÷ 16 = 15 remainder 15 (F), 15 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 15 (F). Reading from bottom to top gives us FF in hexadecimal, which equals 255 in decimal.
Common Uses of Hexadecimal
- Color Codes: Web colors are often represented in hex (#FF0000 for red)
- Memory Addresses: Computer memory locations are typically shown in hex
- MAC Addresses: Network hardware addresses use hexadecimal notation
- Unicode Characters: Character codes are often written in hex format
- Debugging: Programmers use hex to view and analyze binary data
- Cryptography: Hash values and encryption keys use hexadecimal representation
Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
| Decimal | Hexadecimal | Binary |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0000 |
| 1 | 1 | 0001 |
| 10 | A | 1010 |
| 15 | F | 1111 |
| 16 | 10 | 0001 0000 |
| 255 | FF | 1111 1111 |
| 256 | 100 | 0001 0000 0000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do we use hexadecimal in programming?
- Hexadecimal is used in programming because it's a compact way to represent binary data. Each hex digit represents exactly 4 binary digits, making it easier for humans to read and write compared to long strings of binary numbers. It's especially useful for memory addresses, color codes, and debugging.
- How do you convert decimal to hexadecimal manually?
- To convert decimal to hexadecimal manually, divide the decimal number by 16 repeatedly and record the remainders. Convert remainders 10-15 to A-F. Read the remainders from bottom to top to get the hexadecimal result. For example: 100 ÷ 16 = 6 R4, 6 ÷ 16 = 0 R6, giving 64 in hex.
- What does the '0x' prefix mean in hexadecimal?
- The '0x' prefix is a notation used in programming to indicate that the following number is in hexadecimal format. For example, 0xFF means 255 in decimal. This prefix helps distinguish hexadecimal numbers from decimal numbers in code.
- Can negative numbers be converted to hexadecimal?
- Yes, negative numbers can be represented in hexadecimal using two's complement notation. However, this calculator focuses on positive integers for straightforward conversions commonly used in web development and basic programming tasks.