How to Convert Decimal to Hexadecimal

Decimal and hexadecimal are two number systems that are widely used in the fields of computer science and mathematics. Decimal is a base-10 number system that uses the digits 0-9, while hexadecimal is a base-16 number system that uses the digits 0-9 and the letters A-F. In this tutorial, we will show you how to convert decimal to hexadecimal.

Step 1: Divide the Decimal Number by 16


The first step in converting a decimal number to a hexadecimal number is to divide the decimal number by 16. Write down the quotient and remainder of the division.

For example, let’s convert the decimal number 4096 to hexadecimal.

4096 ÷ 16 = 256
Quotient = 256
Remainder = 0

Step 2: Convert the Remainder to Hexadecimal


The next step is to convert the remainder from the previous step to hexadecimal. To do this, you can use the following conversion chart:

Decimal Hexadecimal
0 0
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 A
11 B
12 C
13 D
14 E
15 F

In our example, the remainder is 0, so the hexadecimal equivalent is also 0.

Step 3: Repeat the Process Until the Quotient is 0


The next step is to repeat the previous two steps until the quotient is 0. In our example, we have:

256 ÷ 16 = 16
Quotient = 16
Remainder = 0

16 ÷ 16 = 1
Quotient = 1
Remainder = 0

1 ÷ 16 = 0
Quotient = 0
Remainder = 1

Step 4: Write the Hexadecimal Equivalent


Once the quotient is 0, you can write down the hexadecimal equivalent by writing the remainders from the last step in reverse order. In our example, the remainders are 0, 0, 0, and 1, so the hexadecimal equivalent of 4096 is 1000.

Therefore, the decimal number 4096 is equivalent to the hexadecimal number 1000.

Final Thoughts


Converting decimal to hexadecimal may seem complicated at first, but it’s actually quite simple once you understand the process. Just remember to divide the decimal number by 16, convert the remainder to hexadecimal, and repeat the process until the quotient is 0. By following these steps, you can easily convert decimal to hexadecimal for any number.

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