Hex to Binary Converter
Convert hex to binary in your browser. Digit-by-digit nibble expansion preserves width, handles lists. Free, private, instant.
About this tool
Convert hexadecimal to binary. Each hex digit expands to exactly four bits (a nibble), so the output preserves the width of the input: f4 becomes 11110100, and leading zeros survive, which matters when the value represents a fixed-width register or byte.
Paste one value or a list separated by spaces, commas, or newlines. 0x prefixes are handled automatically.
Common uses
- See which bits are set in a flags or permissions value.
- Expand a hex bitmask from code into its exact bit pattern.
- Check hardware register values digit by digit.
Automate via API
The same conversion is available as a REST endpoint for scripts, pipelines, and backends:
curl -X POST https://payloadly.com/api/v1/tools/hex-to-binary \ -H "Content-Type: text/plain" \ -H "X-Api-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \ --data-binary @input.txt
Hex notes
Hexadecimal (base 16) uses the digits 0-9 and a-f, so one hex digit represents exactly four bits. It is the standard notation for memory addresses, byte dumps, color codes, and hashes.
- Hex values are case-insensitive; 0xFF and 0xff are the same number.
- A leading 0x prefix is a convention, not part of the value.
- Each hex digit maps to exactly one 4-bit nibble, which is why hex-binary conversion is mechanical.
Binary notes
Binary (base 2) writes numbers using only 0 and 1, one digit per bit. It is how data actually exists in hardware, and the base you drop into when debugging bitmasks, flags, and permissions.
- Leading zeros change nothing numerically but often carry width meaning (e.g. one byte = 8 bits).
- Group binary in blocks of 4 bits to convert to hex by eye.
Frequently asked questions
Is my data uploaded to a server?
No. This tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript, and there are no ads on the page. Nothing you paste or drop here is uploaded, logged, or stored, and you can verify that yourself: open your browser's developer tools and watch the Network tab while you convert (no requests leave the page), or disconnect from the internet after the page loads and keep working.
Why does each hex digit become exactly 4 bits?
Because 16 is 2 to the 4th power, one hex digit covers precisely the sixteen combinations of four bits. That is the whole reason hex exists: it is a compact, human-readable spelling of binary. You can convert by eye with a 16-row table, and this tool applies the same mapping digit by digit.
Is there a size limit or a fee?
The browser tool is free with no signup and comfortably handles files up to tens of megabytes (limited by your device's memory). For automated or bulk processing inside your own scripts and pipelines, use the paid REST API.
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