Conversion Examples   Binary/Boolean Main Index

Hex Digit:	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Bit Group:	0000	0001	0010	0011	0100	0101	0110	0111
Hex Digit:	8	9	a	b	c	d	e	f
Bit Group:	1000	1001	1010	1011	1100	1101	1110	1111

For conversion from hex to binary, simply string together the bits for each hex digit. For instance, 0x509d7a is binary 10100001001110101111010. To wit:

Hex Number:	5	0	9	d	7	a
Binary Number:	0101	0000	1001	1101	0111	1010

To convert the other way, break the binary number into groups of four, then replace each one with its hex digit. Group the digits starting from the right. If you don't have a complete group of four when you reach the left, pad with zero bits on the left to fill the last group. For instance, binary 111011011111110001 is 0x3b7f1:

Binary Groups:	0011	1011	0111	1111	0001
Hex Digits:	3	b	7	f	1

Because this conversion is so easy, the easiest way to convert between binary and decimal is usually to go through hex. It generally requires fewer operations, and hex numbers are easier to work with because they are shorter Also, it's easier to remember where you are when scanning a hex number, since the digits differ more.