Hex Viewer
View file contents in hex dump format with search, offset navigation, and virtual scrolling
What is a hex viewer?
A hex viewer displays file contents in hexadecimal format, showing each byte as a two-digit hex number alongside its ASCII representation. It is essential for inspecting binary files, debugging, and data analysis.
How do I search for specific bytes in a hex viewer?
Enter a hex string (e.g., "4D5A") or ASCII text in the search box. The viewer will highlight all matching positions and allow you to navigate between matches.
Can I view very large files?
Yes, this hex viewer uses virtual scrolling to efficiently handle large files. Only the visible rows are rendered, so even files over 1GB can be viewed smoothly without loading the entire file into memory.
What is the offset column in a hex dump?
The offset column shows the byte position (in hexadecimal) of the first byte in each row. It helps you quickly locate specific positions within the file.
Is my file data safe?
Yes, all processing happens locally in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server. This tool runs entirely on your device using client-side JavaScript.
What is the difference between a hex viewer and a hex editor?
A hex viewer is read-only and used for inspecting file contents, while a hex editor allows you to modify the binary data. This tool is a hex viewer focused on fast, safe file inspection.
What does the ASCII column show?
The ASCII column displays the printable ASCII character for each byte. Non-printable bytes are shown as dots. This helps you quickly identify text strings embedded in binary data.
How many bytes are shown per row?
By default, 16 bytes are displayed per row, which is the standard hex dump format. This can be adjusted in the display settings.
Can I jump to a specific offset?
Yes, use the offset navigation to enter a hex offset value and jump directly to any position in the file. This is useful for navigating to known data structures.
What file types can I view with this hex viewer?
You can view any file type including executables, images, documents, archives, disk images, and unknown binary files. The hex viewer displays raw bytes regardless of file format.
Does this tool support drag and drop?
Yes, you can drag and drop files directly onto the viewer to open them. You can also use the file picker button or paste file data from the clipboard.
What is virtual scrolling and why is it important?
Virtual scrolling only renders the rows currently visible on screen. This means even multi-gigabyte files can be viewed instantly without consuming large amounts of memory or causing browser freezes.