Binary to Hex Converter

What is Binary to Hex Conversion?

Binary to hexadecimal conversion turns a base-2 number (using only 0 and 1) into its base-16 equivalent, which uses the digits 0-9 and the letters A-F for values 10-15. Programmers convert binary to hex constantly because hex is far more compact and readable than long strings of binary digits.

For example, the binary number 10101100 equals hex AC. Enter any binary number above to convert it and see the digit-by-digit breakdown. Want to learn how to convert binary to hex manually? See how to convert binary to hex for the full 4-bit grouping method, table, and worked examples. For arithmetic on binary numbers rather than conversion, see the Binary Calculator. For a broader look at how the two systems compare, see binary vs hexadecimal.

The 4-Bit Grouping Method

Hexadecimal is base 16, and 16 is 2⁴ — so one hex digit represents exactly four binary bits (a nibble). This makes converting binary to hex a matter of grouping, not long division: group the binary digits into sets of four starting from the right, pad the leftmost group with zeros if needed, then convert each group to its hex digit using the table below.

Worked example: convert 10101100 to hex

10101100  (group into 4-bit chunks from the right)
1010 1100

1010 = A
1100 = C

10101100₂ = AC₁₆

Binary ↔ hex reference table

If your binary number's length isn't a multiple of 4, pad it with leading zeros until it is — leading zeros never change the value. For the reverse operation, use the Hex to Binary Converter. Starting from a decimal number instead of binary? The Decimal to Hex Converter gets there directly, without converting through binary first. And once you have a hex result like the ones in the Decimal column above, the Hex to Decimal Converter confirms its base-10 value directly.

Common Binary to Hex Conversions

A quick reference for frequently seen binary numbers and their hexadecimal and decimal equivalents:

Where Binary to Hex Conversion Is Used

Converting binary to hex comes up whenever raw binary data needs a compact, human-readable form:

• Programming and debugging: reading memory dumps, stack traces, and bitwise operation results in a compact hex form instead of long binary strings.
• Memory addresses: pointers and register values are almost universally displayed in hex because each hex digit maps cleanly to 4 bits.
• Bitmasks: flags and permission bitmasks in code are often written and read as hex constants (e.g. 0xFF) rather than raw binary.
• Low-level data representation: hash outputs, byte streams, and hex color codes (e.g. #FF5733) are binary data shown in hex for readability.
• Digital systems: hardware documentation and firmware registers use hex to describe binary signal states compactly.

Need the other direction with decimal instead of hex? Try the Decimal to Binary Converter.

Related Converters

Frequently Asked Questions