GHex
GHex is a free hex editor for the GNOME desktop that opens binary files as raw data for editing.
What GHex is
GHex is a free hex editor for the GNOME desktop that opens binary files as raw data for editing. Its traditional editor places hexadecimal values beside their ASCII representation, allowing both views while changing file contents. Custom clipboard data supports copying and pasting binary content, with plaintext fallback when custom data is unavailable. GHex 4 adds tabs and a dark mode that follows the GTK system preference by default, with an override in Preferences. Find and replace operations provide busy feedback and can be cancelled. Its library supports files larger than 2 GB and can use a memory-mapped buffer backend where supported. GHex belongs to the GNOME Extra Apps family rather than core GNOME, and is licensed under GPLv2 or later. It runs on Linux; Homebrew lists binary packages for Linux and macOS. The project includes libgtkhex and welcomes GitLab issue reports.
Good
- Free plan with no trial required
- Hexadecimal and ASCII views together
- Custom binary clipboard with plaintext fallback
- Find and replace supports cancellation
- Handles files larger than 2 GB
Watch out
- Supported-platform listing names Linux
- Not a core GNOME application
- Dark mode follows GTK by default
Who it suits
GHex suits people who need to inspect or edit raw binary data on Linux or macOS. It is also relevant to users wanting GNOME-oriented tooling and clipboard support for binary content.
Verdict
GHex provides focused binary editing with paired hexadecimal and ASCII views, tabs, clipboard handling, and cancellable searching. Its free GPLv2-or-later licensing and large-file support suit raw-data work, while platform availability should be checked for your system.
The facts
Each one read from GHex's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The project describes GHex as a useful tool for working with raw data.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Clipboard
- GHex supports custom clipboard data for copying and pasting binary data, with plaintext fallback when custom data is unavailable.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Data handling
- The changelog says the library supports files larger than 2 GB and can use an mmap buffer backend where supported.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Display
- Its traditional editor view shows hexadecimal values and their ASCII representation in two columns.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Editing interface
- GHex 4 added a tabbed interface and dark mode, which follows the GTK system preference by default and can be overridden in Preferences.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Find and replace
- The project changelog lists find and replace support, including busy feedback and cancellable operations.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integration
- GHex includes libgtkhex, whose API documentation is generated as part of the project’s CI pipeline.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- GHex is licensed under GPLv2 or later.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Project status
- GHex is part of the GNOME Extra Apps family and is not a core GNOME application.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- GHex is a hex editor for the GNOME desktop that loads raw data from binary files for editing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project pages reviewed do not state a security certification or compliance status.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project welcomes bug reports and directs users to its GitLab Issues and Merge Request systems.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platform availability
- Homebrew lists GHex binary packages for macOS and Linux.checked 4 Oct 2026
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