How to convert decimal to hexadecimal

This is a part of the Network+ requirements and I often learn best by writing about a learning objective. The Comptia Network+ exam will (potentially) ask you to convert a decimal value to a hexadecimal value. Decimal values are considered to be 0 through 9+ and hexadecimal values are 0 through F. Let’s take a look at the list of values below. The left column represents the decimal value while the right column represents the hexadecimal value.

• 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

If you can remember 10 = A, then you’re all set because everything that follows A is in alphabetical order. Now, on to the conversion process.

You can convert a value from decimal to hexadecimal by dividing the value by 16 until the quotient is 0. Let’s start with something easy by converting 5 to hexadecimal.

Step 1) 5 / 16 = 0, remainder of 5.

Decimal: 5, Hexadecimal: 5

This is easy for numbers less than 16, but what happens when you have a value over 16? Let’s convert 18.

Step 1) 18 / 16 = 1, remainder of 2

Step 2) 2 / 16 = 0, remainder is 1

Decimal: 18, Hexadecimal: 12

And to reinforce the fact, let’s convert 25.

Step 1) 25 / 16 = 1, remainder is 9

Step 2) 1/16 = 0, remainder is 1

Decimal: 25, Hexadecimal: 19

Now, let’s get harder. Let’s convert 126 to hexadecimal.

Step 1) 126 / 16 = 7, remainder 14

Step 2) 7 / 16 = 0, remainder 7

Decimal: 126, Hexadecimal: 7E

If you reference the previous table, you’ll remember that 14 = E and we place E in the hexadecimal value. Let’s try one more hard one. Convert 214 to hexadecimal.

Step 1) 214 / 16 = 13, remainder 6

Step 2) 6 / 16 = 0, remainder 13

Decimal: 214, Hexadecimal: D6

And that’s the basics of converting decimal to hexadecimal. If you have questions, please let me know below!