hexadecimal

Just like Binary, Hexadecimal is a number system. The main difference is that where Binary is base 2 (1 or 0) Hexadecimal is base 16. This means that there are 16 different numbers / characters used.

Why do we use hexadecimal?

We already have the denary and the binary number systems so it may seem a little strange to introduce a third. there are many reasons why we use hexadecimal and they all boil down to the fact that a smaller hexadecimal number can be used to represent a much longer binary number.

For Example -  1 hex digit e.g. A is can represent 4 bits...... a 6 digit hex code can represent 24 bits.
  • It is much easier for a human being to remember a shorter hex code than a longer sting of binary
  • It is also easier for a human to spot mistakes in a shorter hex code than a longer binary number

​Practical uses of Hexadecimal
Hexadecimal is used in a number of situations including:  Colour Codes, MAC addresses, Memory Dumps or Assembly language

Below you can see a table that you can use as a reference for the base 16 number system.
O
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
O
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
B
C
D
E
F

Hexadecimal Conversion


To help our understanding of hexadecimal numbers we need to learn how to convert them into different number systems.  The types of conversion that we need to know are...

Binary to Hex
Hex  to  Binary
Denary to Hex
Hex to Denary

Use the tabs below to view each of the conversion methods
  • Binary to Hex
  • Hex to Binary
  • Decimal to Hex
  • Hex to Decimal
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Binary to hexadecimal conversion


The Binary to hex conversion process involves converting a base 2 number into base 16.

The process for completing this conversion will be explained using the example Binary number 1101011010

​1:   The first step is to split your binary number into 4 bits (Nibbles), so 1101011010 will become:
O
O
1
1
O
1
O
1
1
O
1
O
If your binary number does not split into even groups of 4 you simply need to add 0s to the left side until it is even.  The above example adds two 0s to change the number from 11 - 0101 - 1010 into 0011 - 0101 - 1010
2:  The next step is to convert each digit into a decimal number using the table structure below:
8
4
2
1
O
O
1
1
2 + 1 = 3
8
4
2
1
O
1
O
1
4 + 1 = 5
8
4
2
​1
1
o
1
O
8 + 2 = 10
3:  Place the result from each nibble next to each other and you have the Hexadecimal value.

Answer =    3510  BUT BE CAREFUL!  any number that is 10 or above must be converted into its Hexadecimal equivalent.

So the answer here would be = 35A as 10 in Hex is A
Video Explanation

For further explanation, please watch this video created by two of my students (Gaia and Pim).  Please note that when she says "add the numbers together" she really means Place them next to eachother.

Hexadecimal to binary conversion

The Hexadecimal to binary conversion technique works essentially by reversing the methods used to convert binary to hexadecimal.

Lets imagine that we have been asked to convert FA2 (Hex) into a binary number. These are the steps that we must follow.

1:  Separate each Hexadecimal digit and convert any letters into their number equivalent (Use the table at the top of the page if you need help)

This would leave us with  15(F)  -  10(A)  -  2
2:  The next step is to convert each  separate value into a 4 bit binary number (A nibble)
15(F)
=
8
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
10(A)
=
8
4
2
1
1
O
1
O
2
=
8
4
2
1
O
O
1
O
3:  The final step is to put all of your nibbles together, thus giving you the answer/ ..

FA2 = 11110100010

Decimal to Hexadecimal conversion

This section will explain the steps necessary to convert a denary (Base 10) number into a hexadecimal (Base 16) number.

There are actually two different ways to successfully convert a denary  number into hex.  Both will be explained and after practicing you can choose which one works best for you.
Method 1
The first method available is to simply convert the denary number into binary and the convert the binary number into hex.

​Lets say we need to convert the denary number 203 into hex.

1: The first step is to convert 203 into Binary.  If you are unsure of this conversion method, please refer back to the Binary page, otherwise, the conversion will look something like this...
128
64
32
16
8
4
2
1
1
1
O
O
1
O
1
1
2: Now that we have the binary number 11001011, the next step is to use the binary to hex conversion method, If you want a deeper explanation of this, refer back to the 'binary to hex' tab. The next conversion step will look like this...
8
4
2
1
1
1
O
O
8 + 4 = 12 (C)
8
4
2
1
1
O
1
1
8 + 2 + 1 = 11 (B)
Remember that numbers greater than 9 become letters in the hexadecimal system.  This means that 12 = C and 11 =B 

203 as a Hexadecimal value = CB
Method 2
The second method available involves repeatedly dividing by 16 and keeping track of the remainder. To demonstrate this we will use the same number as method 1 - 203
1: The first step is to set up a table with three columns with the following headings...
Value
/16
Remainder
2: The next step is to place the number that you wish to convert into the first available 'Value' row.  Next you will move across to the '/16' column, divide the value by 16 and place the answer to 0dp (remember to always round down not up! in this example 203 / 16 is 12.6875 but we still round down as we are more interested in the remainder). Finally place the remainder, if any into the remainder column. If there is no remainder you simply place a 0 in the cell.
Value
/16
Remainder
203
12
11
3: We now move the number in the '/16'  (in this case 12) cell below the original value of 203. We will repeat the steps of dividing the value by 16 and keeping the remainder until the number in the 'value' cell is less than 16, when this is the case we simply move the number in 'value' all the way to the 'remainder' cell and move on to the next step... 
Value
/16
Remainder
203
12
11
12
Value
12
4: To finish the conversion we take the numbers in the 'remainder' column starting from the bottom and working from the top.  In this case we end up with 12 and 11.  Remember that in Hexadecimal, 12 Becomes C and 11 Becomes B.


203 as a Hexadecimal value = CB

Hexadecimal to decimal conversion

This section will explain the steps that you need to take to convert a hexadecimal value (Base 16) into a denary (Base 10) number.

The current syllabus states that the maximum sized hexadecimal number that you will be asked to convert into denary is a 4 digit value.

With this in mind we will use a 4 digit Hex value as our example. We are Going to convert the Hex value A4F3 into Denary
1: The fist step for this conversion is to create a table similar to the one used in binary conversions. Unlike the binary table, we do not start at 1 and double. This time we start with "units" then Multiply by 16 moving from right to left...
256 X 16
16 X 16
Units X 16
Units
4096
256
16
Units
2: When we have created our table headings, the next step, just like with binary conversions, is to place our hex value (A4F3) beneath them...
4096
256
16
Units
A
4
F
3
3: Next we multiply Each column heading by the hex value beneath it, Except for the units column... this stays as its own number.
4096
256
16
Units
4096 X A(10)
256 X 4
16 X F(15)
3
40960
1024
240
3
4: The final step is to add the result from each multiplication together and we have our answer!

40960 + 1024 + 240 + 3 = 42,227   -  So A4F3 = 42227
Video Explanation

Please enjoy this video created by three of my students (Yeonwoo, Mathis and Phukhao) as they explain the process using the Hex value  6C4.