Free Tool
Wiegand 26-bit facility code calculator
Convert a facility code and card number into the 26-bit Wiegand binary and hex an access controller sees — or paste a raw value to decode it back. Runs entirely in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.
What does this calculator do?
It encodes and decodes the 26-bit H10301 Wiegand format — the most common 125 kHz access card format in North America. Enter a facility code (0–255) and card number (0–65,535) to get the exact binary, hex, and parity bits; or decode a hex/decimal value to recover the facility code and card number.
Encode → Wiegand
Decode ← Wiegand
Have your facility code? Request a quote and we'll encode compatible cards to it — or learn how to find your facility code.
Common Wiegand formats at a glance
The calculator above covers the 26-bit H10301 format. Other formats use different field sizes and parity — we encode all of them; ask us for non-26-bit formats.
| Format | Facility code | Card number | Bit layout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26-bit (H10301)calculator | 0–255 | 0–65,535 | 1 + 8 + 16 + 1 |
| 35-bit (HID Corporate 1000) | 0–4,095 | 0–1,048,575 | 2 + 12 + 20 + 1 |
| 37-bit (H10304) | 0–65,535 | 0–524,287 | 1 + 16 + 19 + 1 |
| 37-bit no FC (H10302) | none | 0–34,359,738,367 | 1 + 35 + 1 |
Bit layout shown as: leading parity + facility code + card number + trailing parity.
Facility code & Wiegand FAQ
What is a facility code?
A facility (or site) code is a number shared by every credential in one access-control system, programmed alongside each card's individual card number. On a 26-bit H10301 card the facility code is 8 bits, so it ranges from 0 to 255. Readers pass both numbers to the controller as a Wiegand string; the controller checks the pair against its database to grant or deny access.
How do I find my facility code?
It is often printed on the back of an existing card (e.g. "123 45678", where 123 is the facility code and 45678 is the card number). If it is not printed, it can be read from your access-control software, recovered from the original installer, or decoded from the raw Wiegand/hex value using the decoder above.
Do I need the facility code to order compatible cards?
Yes — to make drop-in compatible cards we encode your exact facility code and a card-number range so the new credentials are recognised by your existing readers with no reprogramming. Send us the facility code and the range you need and we handle the encoding.
Is the 26-bit Wiegand format secure?
No. The 26-bit H10301 format is unencrypted 125 kHz proximity data and can be read and cloned with inexpensive tools. The small code space (256 facility codes × 65,536 card numbers) also makes collisions across sites common. For clone-resistant credentials, use an encrypted 13.56 MHz format such as MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3 or HID Seos.
Know your facility code? Let's make your cards.
Send us your format, facility code, and the card-number range you need. We'll encode compatible cards and fobs ready to use on your existing readers — usually quoted within one business day.
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