Hex -> Data Converter

Convert between Hexadecimal strings and data (text via charsets, or binary from files).

About Hex <-> Data Conversion

This tool converts between hexadecimal (hex) strings and data. When encoding to hex, it can take text input (assumed UTF-8) or a raw binary file. When decoding from hex, it can output text (using a selected character set) or provide the raw binary data if the hex doesn't represent valid text in that charset. Hex is a base-16 system used to represent binary data human-readably.

Why Use This Hex <-> Data Converter?

This converter is useful for: viewing or editing the raw byte representation of text or files; encoding text or binary files for systems requiring hex input (e.g., some hardware interfaces, data protocols); decoding hex strings from such systems back into readable text or binary data for analysis.

Example Use Cases

  • Encoding a text string 'Hello' to its UTF-8 hex representation '48656c6c6f'.
  • Uploading a small binary file and getting its complete hex string representation.
  • Decoding a hex string from a data log, like 'E4BDA0E5A5BD', back to its original text (e.g., '你好' if UTF-8) by selecting the correct charset.
  • Converting text to hex for use in programming for byte array initializations from a known string.

Pro Tips

  • Character Set for Decoding: When converting hex to text data, choosing the correct 'Text Character Set' is crucial. If the hex string represents text encoded in something other than UTF-8, select the appropriate charset.
  • Hex Input: Ensure your hex input string contains only valid hexadecimal characters (0-9, A-F, a-f) and has an even length (representing whole bytes).
  • File Upload for Hex Encoding: When uploading a file in 'Data to Hex' mode, its raw binary bytes are directly converted, bypassing character set considerations for the file itself.