Hex to Text Converter
Hexadecimal is a compact way to write the bytes inside a computer. This converter turns hex into readable text and text into hex.
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What it does
Two linked boxes do the work: put hex in the Hex box and the text appears in the Text box, or type text to see its hex. For example, Cat is 43 61 74. The converter is forgiving about input, coping with bytes split by spaces, written as one long run, prefixed with 0x, or split with commas or colons. If you give it an odd number of digits, it adds a 0 at the front so every byte has two digits.
Two options shape the output: spaces between bytes (on by default) and capital letters for A to F, so 6E or 6e. Neither changes the meaning. Hexadecimal is base 16, with the ten ordinary digits plus A–F standing for the values 10 to 15. Each hex digit covers four bits, so two make a byte, from 00 to FF. Text is handled as UTF-8, so accented letters and emoji take more than one byte.
How to use it
- Paste hexadecimal into the Hex box, with or without spaces, commas, colons or 0x.
- Read the decoded text in the Text box.
- To encode, type in the Text box instead.
- Choose whether you want spaces between bytes and capital letters for A–F.
- Use Copy text or Copy hex, or Clear to start again.
More tips
- Try the same word in the binary translator to show both describe identical bytes.
Ideas for the classroom and home learning
- KS2 (7–11)Upper KS2: mix web colours by changing hex pairs in a colour code and describe what each pair controls.
- KS3 (11–14)Count in base 16 on a number line and convert two-digit hex values to denary by hand before checking.
- KS3 (11–14)Encode a short message in hex, then swap with a partner to decode it with the tool.
- KS4 (14–16)Link hex to memory addresses and file contents, and convert between binary, denary and hex in exam-style questions.
Questions
What text is 43 61 74?
Cat. 43 is capital C, 61 is small a and 74 is small t.
Do I need to remove 0x or commas?
No. The converter ignores those along with spaces and colons.
Why did a 0 appear at the start?
Each byte needs two hex digits, so an odd count gets a leading 0 to line up.
Is hex a code for hiding things?
No. It is just another way to write numbers, and anyone can convert it.
Opens Unscramble Words 4U, our free word-puzzle site, in a new tab. Free, with no sign-up.
Hexadecimal represents data; it does not protect it. Never treat it as a way to keep information private.