num2hex

Convert single- and double-precision numbers to IEEE hexadecimal format

Syntax

hexStr = num2hex(X)

Description

hexStr = num2hex(X) returns a representation of X in IEEE^® format using hexadecimal digits.

• If X is a double-precision number, then hexStr has 16 characters.

• If X is a single-precision number, then hexStr has 8 characters.

• If X is a vector, matrix, or multidimensional array, then hexStr is a two-dimensional character array. Each row of hexStr represents an element of X.

Unlike the dec2hex function, num2hex can convert floating-point values with fractional parts. Also, num2hex handles NaN and Inf values and denormal numbers correctly.

The format produced by num2hex is identical to the one produced by the format hex command.

Examples

Convert Double-Precision Number with Fractional Part

Create a number and represent it in its IEEE® format using hexadecimal digits. X is a double-precision number and has a fractional part.

X = 3.1416;
hexStr = num2hex(X)

hexStr = 
'400921ff2e48e8a7'

Since hexStr is in IEEE format, it also represents the fractional part of X. You can convert hexStr back to a number using the hex2num function.

hex2num(hexStr)

ans = 
3.1416

Convert Single-Precision Number

Create a single-precision number.

X = single(2.7182818)

X = single

2.7183

Convert X. The num2hex function represents a single-precision number using only eight hexadecimal digits.

hexStr = num2hex(X)

hexStr = 
'402df854'

Represent Negative Number, NaN, and Inf

Convert a negative number and represent it in IEEE® format.

num2hex(-1)

ans = 
'bff0000000000000'

Convert NaN.

num2hex(NaN)

ans = 
'fff8000000000000'

Convert Inf.

num2hex(Inf)

ans = 
'7ff0000000000000'

Represent Array of Floating-Point Numbers

Create a numeric array.

X = [3.1416 1.37e-5 1023.92];

Convert the elements of X. The num2hex function returns a character array that represents these values.

hexStr = num2hex(X)

hexStr = 3×16 char array
    '400921ff2e48e8a7'
    '3eecbb21a99df39b'
    '408fff5c28f5c28f'

Input Arguments

X — Input array

numeric array

Input array, specified as a numeric array.

Data Types: single | double

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using MATLAB® Coder™.

Thread-Based Environment

Run code in the background using MATLAB® backgroundPool or accelerate code with Parallel Computing Toolbox™ ThreadPool.

This function fully supports thread-based environments. For more information, see Run MATLAB Functions in Thread-Based Environment.

Version History

Introduced before R2006a