Convert Scan Codes to ASCII
Turn IBM PC XT set-1 keyboard scan codes back into ASCII characters. Runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
0 chars · 0 lines
Output
The result appears here as you type.
How to use Convert Scan Codes to ASCII
- 1. Paste your scan codes. Paste space separated hexadecimal PC XT set-1 keyboard scan codes, such as 1E, into the input pane in the order the keys were pressed.
- 2. See each code remapped. Each scan code is looked up in the set-1 table, which numbers keys by physical position rather than character, and mapped to the corresponding lowercase letter or symbol.
- 3. Copy the decoded text. Copy the resulting text once every scan code has been remapped. Paste a new sequence of codes to decode another captured keypress.
When to use Convert Scan Codes to ASCII
Convert Scan Codes to ASCII decodes IBM PC XT set-1 keyboard scan codes, the raw byte a keyboard controller sends for each key press before any character mapping happens, into ASCII letters. Scan codes number keys by physical position, not by character, so this tool applies the standard set-1 layout for you.
- Debugging a keyboard driver or BIOS routine. You're writing low level firmware or a BIOS keyboard handler and are logging raw set-1 scan codes from the controller. Decoding a captured sequence confirms which keys the user actually pressed.
- Reverse engineering an old DOS program's input handling. A DOS era program reads keyboard input directly through scan codes instead of character codes. Converting a logged sequence reveals which keys triggered a specific behavior.
- Studying how keyboards report keypresses. You're learning the difference between a physical scan code and the character it eventually produces. Trying known values like 1E for the A key makes the distinction concrete.
- Diagnosing a stuck or misbehaving key. A hardware keyboard sends an unexpected scan code and you're trying to identify which physical key is malfunctioning. Decoding the reported code narrows down the culprit key.
Examples
Letter
Input
1E
Output
a
Word
Input
23 17
Output
hi
About the Convert Scan Codes to ASCII tool
Convert Scan Codes to ASCII does its work locally, right in the browser. Turn IBM PC XT set-1 keyboard scan codes back into ASCII characters. There is no upload step, no queue and no account, and your data never travels over the network.
It belongs to the ASCII Tools collection on EditSafely, a set of 81 small, focused ASCII utilities that share the same instant, private workspace.
There is nothing to configure. Provide the input and the result appears on its own. 2 worked examples further down the page show exactly what the tool produces for real inputs.
Running locally also makes the tool fast and dependable: results appear as you type or drop a file, there is no server outage that can take it down mid-task, and confidential data can be processed without a second thought.
Frequently asked questions
Is Convert Scan Codes to ASCII free to use?
Yes, it is completely free. All 2,658 tools on EditSafely work without an account, a subscription or usage limits.
Is it safe to paste sensitive or confidential data?
Everything happens locally. Your browser downloads the tool's code once, then does all the processing itself; nothing you enter is transmitted, stored or logged. You can even go offline after the page loads and it will still work.
How much text can I process at once?
There is no fixed limit. Because the work happens on your own device rather than on a shared server, the practical ceiling is your machine's memory, which comfortably handles inputs far larger than typical online tools allow.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
No. The tool works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone. There is no account to create, no extension to add and no software to install.
How do I use the result?
The output panel has a one-click copy button, and you can keep refining the input while you work; the result updates in place as you type.