Convert Hexadecimal To Octal

In the number system, we come across four different types of the number system, i.e. hexadecimal, octal, decimal and binary. The conversion of these numbers from one form to another is possible. To convert hexadecimal to octal numbers, we need to convert hexadecimal to its equivalent decimal number first and then decimal to octal. Before this conversion, first, go through the basic definition of hexadecimal and octal numbers.

What Are Hexadecimal Numbers?

Hexadecimal numbers are the numbers which have base 16. It uses 16 different digits to represent the numbers. It is denoted as h₁₆, where h is a hexadecimal number. It may be a combination of alphabets and numbers. Thus, it includes numbers from 0 to 9 and alphabets A to F.

Example: (AB2)₁₆, (98D1)₁₆, (AFD)₁₆

What are Octal Numbers?

Octal numbers have base 8. These numbers use digits from 0 to 7, total 8 digits and hence, they are called octal number system. Octal numbers have base 8. It is denoted as o₈ and o is an octal number. It does not use digits 8 and 9 to represent a number.

Example: (112)₈, (275)₈,(45)₈

Hexadecimal to Octal Conversion

Conversion of hexadecimal to octal cannot be done directly. Firstly we need to convert hexadecimal into its equivalent decimal number then decimal to octal. Follow the steps below to understand the process.

• Consider the given hexadecimal number
• First count the number of digits in the number
• If n is the position of the digit from the right end then multiply each digit with 16^n-1
• Add the terms after multiplication
• Resultant is the equivalent decimal form
• Divide the decimal number with 8
• Note down the remainder
• Repeat the previous two steps with the quotient, until the quotient is zero
• Write the remainders in reverse order
• The obtained number is the required result

Also, read:

Another Method to Convert Hex to Octal

There is another method to convert any hexadecimal to its equivalent octal. As we know, hexadecimal numbers include binary digits; therefore, we can club these binary numbers into a pair so that we can relate it with the octal numbers. Let us check the method with steps and example:

• For each given hexadecimal number digit, write the equivalent binary number. If any of the binary equivalents are less than 4 digits, add 0’s to the left side.
• Combine and make the groups of binary digits from right to left, each containing 3 digits. Add 0’s to the left if there are less than 3 digits in the last group.
• Find the octal equivalent of each binary group.

Let us see an example here:

Example: Convert 1BC₁₆ into an octal number.

Solution: Given, 1BC₁₆ is a hexadecimal number.

1 → 0001, B → 1011, C →1100

Now group them from right to left, each having 3 digits.

000, 110, 111, 100

000→0, 110 →6, 111→7, 100→4

Hence, 1BC₁₆ = 674₈

Hex to Octal Conversion Table

Hexadecimal to Octal Questions

Q.1: Find the equivalent octal form of C1₁₆.

Solution: Given, a hexadecimal number is C1

C1₁₆ = (C × 16¹) + (1 × 16⁰)

= C × 16 + 1 × 1

=12 × 16 + 1

= 192 + 1

C1₁₆ =193 (Decimal form)

Now we have to convert this decimal to octal number;

The octal number is 301₈

Hence, C1₁₆ = 301₈

Q.2: Find the equivalent octal form of F₁₆.

Solution: Given, a hexadecimal number is F.

F₁₆ = (F × 16⁰)

= F × 1

= F

= 15(Decimal form)

Now we have to convert this decimal to equivalent octal number;

The octal number is 17₈

Hence, F₁₆ = 17₈

Q.3: Find the equivalent octal form of 105₁₆

Solution: Given, a hexadecimal number is 105.

105₁₆ = (1 × 16²) + (0 × 16¹) + (5 × 16⁰)

= 1×256 + 0 × 16 + 5 × 1

=256 + 0 +5

= 261(Decimal form)

Now we have to convert this decimal to equivalent octal;

The octal number is 405₈

Hence, 105₁₆ = 405₈

Practice Questions

1. Convert ABCD₁₆ to equivalent octal form.
2. Convert 912₁₆ to equivalent octal form.
3. Convert 2₁₆ to equivalent octal form.
4. Convert 10₁₆ to equivalent octal form.