Hex to Binary Converter

Convert hexadecimal (base-16) to binary (base-2) instantly. Free and accurate conversion with customizable output format.

Hex to Binary Converter Tool

Enter hexadecimal values to convert them to binary representation

Hexadecimal Input

Add spaces between nibbles

Group by bytes (8 bits)

Binary Output

Example Hex to Binary Conversions

Example 1

Hexadecimal:

Binary:

1010

Example 2

Hexadecimal:

Binary:

1111 1111

Example 3

Hexadecimal:

1A3F

Binary:

0001 1010 0011 1111

How Hex to Binary Conversion Works

Converting hexadecimal to binary is straightforward, as each hexadecimal digit directly maps to exactly four binary digits (bits). Here's the process:

Identify each hexadecimal digit in your input
Convert each hexadecimal digit to its 4-bit binary equivalent using the conversion table
Concatenate all the 4-bit binary groups in the same order as the original hexadecimal digits

For example, to convert hexadecimal 3A to binary:

3 in hexadecimal = 0011 in binary
A in hexadecimal = 1010 in binary
Concatenated result: 00111010

This direct mapping makes hex an efficient shorthand for representing binary values in computing.

Hex to Binary Conversion Table

Hexadecimal	Binary	Decimal
0	0000	0
1	0001	1
2	0010	2
3	0011	3
4	0100	4
5	0101	5
6	0110	6
7	0111	7
8	1000	8
9	1001	9
A	1010	10
B	1011	11
C	1100	12
D	1101	13
E	1110	14
F	1111	15

Applications of Hex to Binary Conversion

Computer Architecture

When working with low-level computer architecture, engineers often need to convert between hexadecimal values (used for memory addresses, machine code, and register values) and their binary representations.

Digital Electronics

In digital circuit design, hex values are often used to represent binary patterns for logic gates, flip-flops, and microcontroller programming. Converting to binary is essential to understand the actual bit patterns.

Network Engineering

Network engineers frequently work with hexadecimal representations of IP addresses, subnet masks, and MAC addresses. Converting to binary helps in understanding subnet calculations and addressing schemes.

Software Development

Programmers often use hexadecimal notation as shorthand for binary values in code. Converting between the two is necessary when working with bitwise operations, flags, and binary file formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a nibble in binary conversion?

A nibble is a unit of digital information that consists of 4 bits (half a byte). It's particularly relevant in hex-to-binary conversion because each hexadecimal digit represents exactly one nibble (4 bits) of binary data. This direct one-to-one mapping is why hexadecimal is so commonly used in computing.

How do I handle the '0x' prefix in hexadecimal values?

The '0x' prefix is a common notation in programming languages to indicate that a number is in hexadecimal format. Our converter automatically recognizes and removes this prefix during conversion. You can include or omit the prefix in your input - both "FF" and "0xFF" will convert to the same binary result.

Are hexadecimal values case-sensitive?

No, hexadecimal values are not case-sensitive. The letters A-F can be written in either uppercase or lowercase. For example, "1A2B" and "1a2b" represent the same hexadecimal value and will convert to the same binary result. Our converter accepts both uppercase and lowercase hex digits.

Can I convert binary back to hexadecimal?

Yes, you can convert binary back to hexadecimal using our Binary to Hex Converter. The process is the reverse of hex to binary conversion, where each group of 4 binary digits is converted to its hexadecimal equivalent.

Related Tools

Conversion Example

Converting "2F" to Binary

1. Break down by digit:
2 (hexadecimal)
F (hexadecimal)
2. Convert each digit:
2 = 0010 (binary)
F = 1111 (binary)
3. Combine the results: 0010 1111

Therefore, hexadecimal 2F equals 0010 1111 in binary.