Decimal to Hexadecimal Converter: Base 10 to Base 16

Decimal to Hexadecimal Converter

Convert between decimal and hexadecimal numbers

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The decimal system (base 10) uses digits 0–9 and is what we use every day. The hexadecimal system (base 16) uses digits 0–9 plus letters A–F to represent values 10–15, and is commonly used in computing to represent binary data compactly (e.g. colors, memory addresses).

For example, 255 in decimal = FF in hexadecimal (15×16 + 15×1). Type in either field below and the other updates instantly.

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Quick Reference (all bases)

Hexadecimal shows up constantly in computing, colors, memory addresses, error codes, but reading it fluently takes practice. This converter switches between decimal and hexadecimal instantly in either direction.

How to use this decimal to hexadecimal converter

Enter a value in the Decimal field to see the equivalent in hexadecimal.
Or enter a value in the Hexadecimal field to see the equivalent in decimal, either field updates the other instantly.

What this converter does

The decimal system (base 10) uses digits 0-9 and is what we use every day. The hexadecimal system (base 16) uses digits 0-9 plus letters A-F to represent values 10-15, and is commonly used in computing to represent binary data compactly, for example in colors and memory addresses.

255 (decimal) = FF (hexadecimal), since FF = 15×16 + 15×1

Why computing relies on hexadecimal

Hexadecimal maps neatly onto binary, each hex digit represents exactly 4 binary bits, making it a far more compact and human-readable way to represent binary data than writing out long strings of 1s and 0s. This is why hex appears throughout computing: in HTML/CSS color codes, memory addresses, MAC addresses, and low-level programming contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is 255 in hexadecimal?

FF, since hexadecimal FF equals 15×16 + 15×1 = 255 in decimal, this is also why FF appears at the maximum value in each channel of a HEX color code.

Why does computing use hexadecimal instead of just decimal?

Hexadecimal maps directly onto binary, each hex digit represents exactly 4 bits, making it a much more compact and readable way to represent binary data than writing out long strings of 1s and 0s, which is why it’s used for colors, memory addresses, and other low-level computing contexts.