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hex-to-image

Image bytes can be encoded as hex strings — every two hex chars become one byte. The result is platform-independent text that round-trips back to the original binary. The ZTools Hex to Image converter takes a hex string (with or without 0x prefix, with or without spaces / line breaks), decodes the bytes, detects the image format from the magic bytes (PNG: 89 50 4E 47, JPG: FF D8 FF, GIF: 47 49 46 38), and renders the image. Useful for forensics, debugging email payloads, decoding base64-via-hex pipelines, and copying images out of hex dumps.

Use cases​

Decode an image embedded in a log​

A debug log shows a hex blob; you suspect it's an image. Paste, see what it is.

Forensics — extract images from a dump​

A memory dump has a PNG at offset X. Cut the hex starting from 89 50 4E 47, end at IEND chunk; decode to view.

Verify a hex-encoded image API response​

Some APIs encode images as hex strings. Decode to confirm the bytes match expectations.

Round-trip an image through copy-paste-able text​

Need to send an image through a system that only supports text? Hex-encode → paste → decode at the destination.

How it works​

  1. Paste hex string — Tool strips whitespace + 0x prefixes. Each pair of hex chars becomes one byte.
  2. Detect format — Magic bytes identify PNG / JPG / GIF / BMP / WebP. Unknown formats display as "data" with size info.
  3. Render — Decoded bytes turned into a Blob → object URL → <img src>. Image displays in the browser.
  4. Download — Save as the detected format. Filename auto-generated.

Examples​

Input: 89 50 4E 47 ... (PNG header) ... AE 42 60 82

Output: Decoded as PNG, displayed in viewer. Save as .png.

Input: FF D8 FF E0 ... (JPG header)

Output: Decoded as JPG.

Input: Random hex with no recognised header

Output: Tool reports "unknown format" with byte count. Image won't render.

Frequently asked questions​

What if my hex has commas or extra chars?

Tool strips non-hex chars before decoding. Most common dump formats (Wireshark, hexdump, xxd) round-trip cleanly.

Maximum size?

A few MB hex (which decodes to 1-2 MB image) works fine. Larger ones strain the browser tab.

Doesn't recognise my format?

Toggle "raw mode" to download as .bin and open in a hex editor. The first 16 bytes usually identify the format manually.

Privacy?

Everything in browser.

Tips​

  • For partial hex dumps, ensure the magic-byte header is present. Without it, format detection fails.
  • For images embedded in larger data, find the IEND chunk (50 4E 47 ... 49 45 4E 44) for the PNG end marker, or FF D9 for JPG end.
  • For round-trip testing, also use the Image to Hex tool — verify the same bytes round-trip.

Try it now​

The full hex-to-image runs in your browser at https://ztools.zaions.com/hex-to-image — no signup, no upload, no data leaves your device.

Open the tool ↗

Last updated: 2026-05-06 · Author: Ahsan Mahmood · Edit this page on GitHub