Hexkey

Hexkey is a term that may refer to one of several distinct concepts in hardware and computing. In everyday use, it is often written as hex key and denotes a hexagonal wrench used to drive bolts and screws with a hexagonal socket. In computing and information security, hex key can also refer to a key that is represented or stored in hexadecimal notation.

Hex keys, or Allen keys, are small L-shaped or T-shaped tools made from steel or alloy. The cross-section is a regular hexagon, allowing two to four corners to engage the socket. They come in metric and imperial sizes and in various lengths. They are common in assembling furniture, bicycles, electronic devices, and machine components. A set typically includes multiple sizes.

In computing, a hex key is a key displayed as a hexadecimal string. Hex encoding uses the base-16 alphabet (0-9, A-F). Keys encoded in hex may represent binary data, such as cryptographic keys, initialization vectors, or hashes. A 256-bit key, for example, is often written as a 64-hex-digit string. Prefixes like 0x are sometimes used.

Hex encoding is a human-readable representation but does not provide security by itself. Key management practices, cryptographic strength, and secure storage are essential. Hex is just one of several possible encodings; binary or base64 forms may be used depending on context.