Decimal to Hex Converter - Convert Decimal Numbers to Hexadecimal
Result:
255 (decimal) = FF (hex)
What is Decimal to Hex Conversion?
Decimal to hex conversion changes regular numbers (base 10) into hexadecimal numbers (base 16). Decimal numbers use digits 0-9, while hex numbers use 0-9 and letters A-F. This conversion is very useful in computer programming, web design, and digital electronics.
For example, the decimal number 255 becomes FF in hexadecimal. The letter A equals 10, B equals 11, C equals 12, D equals 13, E equals 14, and F equals 15 in decimal numbers.
Why Use Hexadecimal?
- • Shorter way to write large numbers
- • Easy to convert to binary (computer language)
- • Used for colors in web design (#FF0000 = red)
- • Common in computer memory addresses
- • Standard in programming and electronics
How Decimal to Hex Conversion Works
Converting decimal to hex is like changing money into different coins. You divide the decimal number by 16 over and over. Each time you divide, you get a remainder. These remainders become your hex digits.
The process is simple: divide by 16, write down the remainder, then divide the result by 16 again. Keep doing this until you get 0. Then read all the remainders from bottom to top - that's your hex number!
Input Decimal
Enter your regular number
Divide by 16
Keep dividing by 16
Collect Remainders
Write down each remainder
Step-by-Step Conversion Guide
Learning to convert decimal to hex is easy when you follow these simple steps. Let's walk through the process with clear examples that anyone can understand.
Easy Steps to Follow:
Step 1: Take your decimal number
Step 2: Divide it by 16
Step 3: Write down the remainder
Step 4: If remainder is 10-15, use letters A-F
Step 5: Divide the result by 16 again
Step 6: Repeat until you get 0
Step 7: Read remainders from bottom to top
Example: Converting 255
255 ÷ 16 = 15 remainder 15
Remainder 15 = F in hex
15 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 15
Remainder 15 = F in hex
Final Answer: FF
So 255 decimal = FF hex
Common Decimal to Hex Examples
Here are some everyday examples of decimal to hex conversion. These numbers appear often in programming, web design, and computer work. Learning these common conversions will help you work faster.
Small Numbers (0-15)
0 → 0
1 → 1
10 → A
15 → F
Medium Numbers (16-255)
16 → 10
32 → 20
100 → 64
255 → FF
Large Numbers (256+)
256 → 100
512 → 200
1000 → 3E8
4096 → 1000
Complete Decimal to Hex Conversion Table
This table shows common decimal numbers and their hexadecimal equivalents. Use it as a quick reference for your projects or to check your manual calculations.
Basic Hex Digits (0-15)
| Decimal | Hex | Decimal | Hex | Decimal | Hex | Decimal | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | C |
| 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 13 | D |
| 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 10 | A | 14 | E |
| 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 11 | B | 15 | F |
Common Programming Values
| Decimal | Hexadecimal | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 10 | First two-digit hex number |
| 32 | 20 | Common buffer size |
| 64 | 40 | Standard memory alignment |
| 128 | 80 | ASCII extended range |
| 255 | FF | Maximum byte value |
| 256 | 100 | One kilobyte marker |
| 512 | 200 | Common sector size |
| 1024 | 400 | One kilobyte (1KB) |
| 2048 | 800 | Common page size |
| 4096 | 1000 | Standard page size (4KB) |
| 8192 | 2000 | Large buffer size |
| 16384 | 4000 | Memory segment size |
| 32768 | 8000 | Half of 16-bit range |
| 65536 | 10000 | Full 16-bit range |
Powers of 16 (Important Hex Numbers)
| Power | Calculation | Decimal | Hexadecimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16⁰ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 16¹ | 16 | 16 | 10 |
| 16² | 16 × 16 | 256 | 100 |
| 16³ | 16 × 16 × 16 | 4,096 | 1000 |
| 16⁴ | 16⁴ | 65,536 | 10000 |
| 16⁵ | 16⁵ | 1,048,576 | 100000 |
Number System Progression Chart
Decimal: 1
Decimal: 10
Decimal: 15
Decimal: 16
Decimal: 255
Decimal: 256
Decimal: 4095
Decimal: 4096
Practice Problems with Step-by-Step Solutions
Practice makes perfect! Try these problems to improve your decimal to hex conversion skills. Each problem shows every step so you can learn the process thoroughly.
Problem 1: Convert 42 to Hex
Step 1: 42 ÷ 16 = 2 remainder 10
Step 2: 10 in hex = A
Step 3: 2 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 2
Step 4: Read remainders bottom to top
Answer: 42 decimal = 2A hex
Problem 2: Convert 100 to Hex
Step 1: 100 ÷ 16 = 6 remainder 4
Step 2: 6 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 6
Step 3: Read remainders: 6, 4
Answer: 100 decimal = 64 hex
Problem 3: Convert 255 to Hex
Step 1: 255 ÷ 16 = 15 remainder 15
Step 2: 15 in hex = F
Step 3: 15 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 15
Step 4: 15 in hex = F
Answer: 255 decimal = FF hex
Problem 4: Convert 1000 to Hex
Step 1: 1000 ÷ 16 = 62 remainder 8
Step 2: 62 ÷ 16 = 3 remainder 14 (E)
Step 3: 3 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 3
Step 4: Read remainders: 3, E, 8
Answer: 1000 decimal = 3E8 hex
Problem 5: Convert 31 to Hex
Step 1: 31 ÷ 16 = 1 remainder 15
Step 2: 15 in hex = F
Step 3: 1 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 1
Step 4: Read remainders: 1, F
Answer: 31 decimal = 1F hex
Problem 6: Convert 4096 to Hex
Step 1: 4096 ÷ 16 = 256 remainder 0
Step 2: 256 ÷ 16 = 16 remainder 0
Step 3: 16 ÷ 16 = 1 remainder 0
Step 4: 1 ÷ 16 = 0 remainder 1
Answer: 4096 decimal = 1000 hex
Where Do We Use Decimal to Hex Conversion?
Decimal to hex conversion is used in many areas of technology and daily life. From the colors on websites to the memory in your computer, hex numbers are everywhere. Understanding these uses helps you see why this conversion is so important.
Web Design & Colors
• Website colors use hex codes like #FF0000 for red
• CSS styling needs hex values for custom colors
• Graphic design software uses hex color picker
• HTML color attributes require hex format
Computer Programming
• Memory addresses are shown in hex format
• Error codes often use hexadecimal numbers
• Assembly language uses hex for instructions
• Debugging tools display hex values
Electronics & Hardware
• Microcontroller programming uses hex codes
• Digital circuits work with hex values
• Firmware updates use hex file formats
• Hardware registers use hex addresses
Network & Security
• MAC addresses are written in hex format
• Encryption keys use hexadecimal notation
• Network packet analysis shows hex data
• Security tokens often use hex encoding
Tips and Tricks for Easy Conversion
Learning some simple tricks makes decimal to hex conversion much easier. These shortcuts help you convert numbers faster and avoid common mistakes. Practice these tips to become more confident with hex numbers.
Memory Tricks
• Remember: A=10, B=11, C=12, D=13, E=14, F=15
• Think "After 9 comes A" (A is like 10)
• Powers of 16: 16=10, 256=100, 4096=1000
• Common colors: FF=255 (max brightness)
Quick Checks
• Numbers 0-15 become single hex digits
• Numbers 16-255 become two hex digits
• If remainder is 10-15, use letters A-F
• Always read remainders from bottom to top
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Don't forget to convert 10-15 to A-F
• Don't read remainders from top to bottom
• Don't stop dividing until you reach 0
• Don't mix up decimal and hex digits
Practice Methods
• Start with small numbers (0-255)
• Use our calculator to check your work
• Practice with common programming values
• Try converting your age or favorite numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between decimal and hexadecimal?
Decimal uses 10 digits (0-9) and is the number system we use every day. Hexadecimal uses 16 digits (0-9 and A-F) and is commonly used in computers. Decimal is base 10, while hexadecimal is base 16. For example, the decimal number 10 equals A in hexadecimal.
Why do we use letters A-F in hexadecimal?
Since hexadecimal is base 16, we need 16 different symbols. We use 0-9 for the first 10 values, then A-F for values 10-15. A=10, B=11, C=12, D=13, E=14, and F=15. This gives us exactly 16 symbols to represent all possible single hex digits.
How do I convert large decimal numbers to hex?
For large numbers, use the same division method. Keep dividing by 16 and collecting remainders. It might take more steps, but the process is the same. For example, 1000 decimal becomes 3E8 in hex after several division steps. Our calculator can handle any size number instantly.
What are hex color codes in web design?
Hex color codes use 6 hex digits to represent colors. The format is #RRGGBB where RR is red, GG is green, and BB is blue. Each pair can be 00-FF (0-255 in decimal). For example, #FF0000 is pure red (255 red, 0 green, 0 blue), and #FFFFFF is white (maximum of all colors).
Can I convert negative numbers to hex?
Basic hex conversion typically works with positive numbers. Negative numbers in computers use special formats like two's complement. For simple decimal to hex conversion, we usually work with positive numbers. If you need to work with negative numbers, you'll need specialized computer science methods.
How accurate is this decimal to hex converter?
Our converter is 100% accurate for all positive whole numbers. It uses the standard mathematical division method that computers use. The results match what you would get from manual calculation or any programming language. You can trust it for homework, work projects, or programming tasks.
What's the largest number I can convert?
Our converter can handle very large numbers, limited only by your browser's capabilities. In practice, you can convert numbers with many digits. For most real-world uses like programming, web design, or electronics, the numbers you'll work with are much smaller and convert instantly.
Do I need to know math to use hex numbers?
Not really! While understanding the math helps, you can use hex numbers without deep math knowledge. Many people use hex color codes in web design or copy hex values in programming without doing manual conversions. Our calculator does the math for you, so you can focus on your project.