---
title: "Hexadecimal as Binary Shorthand"
description: "Writing four bits as one of sixteen digits, so long binary values can be read and typed by people without anything being lost."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/hexadecimal-as-binary-shorthand-mt_OV6PHdnU6N
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/hexadecimal-as-binary-shorthand-mt_OV6PHdnU6N.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Hexadecimal as Binary Shorthand

Writing four bits as one of sixteen digits, so long binary values can be read and typed by people without anything being lost.

Subject: Computing · Area: Computer Systems · Ages 14 to 15
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/hexadecimal-as-binary-shorthand-mt_OV6PHdnU6N

## Ready when they can

- Convert between binary and hexadecimal in groups of four bits
- Convert a two-digit hexadecimal number to decimal
- Point at a place hex actually shows up, such as a colour code

## Lesson: Four bits in one digit

Hexadecimal, or hex, is a shorter way to write binary. It has sixteen digits: 0 to 9, then A to F for values 10 to 15.

Four bits make sixteen patterns, from 0000 to 1111. That is why one hex digit matches exactly four bits.

**Example.** Split 10100110 into 1010 and 0110. The first group is A and the second is 6, so the hex form is A6.

**Example.** For 2F, F means 15. The 2 is in the sixteens place, so 2F is 2 times 16 plus 15, which equals 47.

**Example.** Split 11011110 into 1101 and 1110. Those groups are D and E, so the answer is DE.

Hex is useful because two hex digits show the same values as eight binary bits in less space. Colour codes on web pages are one place you may see hex.

Always group from the right. If the first group is short, add zeros to its front. For 101101, use 0010 and 1101, which gives 2D.

**Recap.** Each hex digit stands for four bits. Group from the right and pad only the short left group.

*Original lesson wording, examples, assessment items, and worked steps authored for the P12 computing curriculum.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Adding Binary Numbers and Overflow](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/adding-binary-numbers-and-overflow-mt_dBS2OoQscq)

## Opens up

- [Character Sets: Storing Text as Numbers](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/character-sets-storing-text-as-numbers-mt_839VNNZlp2)
- [Virtual Memory and Address Translation](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/virtual-memory-and-address-translation-mt_B-PiAyderj)
- [IP Addressing and How Routers Choose a Path](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/ip-addressing-and-how-routers-choose-a-path-mt_l0dRGocXGw)
- [Dynamic Programming with a Capacity: Knapsack](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/dynamic-programming-with-a-capacity-knapsack-mt_T5pbU_DpdC)