Java Convert char to int

Converting a char to an int in Java is a fundamental operation when dealing with character data. In Java, a char is a 16-bit unsigned integer representing a single Unicode character, while an int is a 32-bit signed integer capable of holding a wider range of values. The conversion process involves obtaining the Unicode value of the char and then converting it to an int.

When we convert a char to an int using the (int) casting operation, Java converts the char value to its corresponding Unicode value as an int. For example, if we have a char variable named myChar containing the character 'A', (int) myChar would result in the integer value 65, which is the Unicode value of 'A'.

It's important to note that Unicode is a character encoding standard that assigns a unique number to each character in most languages and scripts used in modern computing. This means that each char in Java corresponds to a specific Unicode value, allowing for consistent representation of characters across different systems and languages.

There are the following ways to convert character into integer value.

By Assigning Character in Integer Variable
Using Character.getNumericValue() Method
Using String.valueOf() Method

We can convert char to int in Java using various ways.

1) By Assigning Character in Integer Variable

Let's see the simple code to convert char to int in Java.

CharToIntExample1.java

public class CharToIntExample1{
public static void main(String args[]){
char c='a';
char c2='1';
int a=c;
int b=c2;
System.out.println(a);
System.out.println(b);
}}

Test it Now

Output:

97
49

2) Using Character.getNumericValue() Method

Let's see the simple code to convert char to int in Java using Character.getNumericValue(char) method that returns an integer value.

CharToIntExample2.java

public class CharToIntExample2{
public static void main(String args[]){
char c='1';
int a=Character.getNumericValue(c);
System.out.println(a);
}}

Test it Now

Output:

3) Using String.valueOf() Method

Let's see another example which returns integer value of specified char value using String.valueOf(char) method.

public class CharToIntExample3{
public static void main(String args[]){
char c='1';
int a=Integer.parseInt(String.valueOf(c));
System.out.println(a);
}}

Test it Now

Output:

Let's understand about the conversion of char to int in Java with the help of a Java example program.

Example 1:

Filename: CharToIntConversion.java

import java.util.Scanner;
public class CharToIntConversion {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
        // Request user input for a character
        char ch;
        do {
            System.out.print("Enter a single character: ");
            String input = scanner.nextLine();
            if (input.length() == 1) {
                ch = input.charAt(0);
                break;
            }
            System.out.println("Invalid input. Please enter a single character.");
        } while (true);
        // Method 1: Using (int) casting
        int intValue1 = (int) ch;
        System.out.println("\nMethod 1: Using (int) casting");
        System.out.println("Character '" + ch + "' as int: " + intValue1);
        // Method 2: Using Character.getNumericValue(char)
        int intValue2;
        try {
            intValue2 = Character.getNumericValue(ch);
            System.out.println("\nMethod 2: Using Character.getNumericValue(char)");
            System.out.println("Numeric value of '" + ch + "': " + intValue2);
        } catch (NumberFormatException e) {
            System.out.println("\nMethod 2: Using Character.getNumericValue(char)");
            System.out.println("'" + ch + "' is not a numeric character.");
        }
        // Method 3: Using Character.digit(char, int)
        int intValue3;
        try {
            intValue3 = Character.digit(ch, 10);
            System.out.println("\nMethod 3: Using Character.digit(char, int)");
            System.out.println("Numeric value of '" + ch + "' with radix 10: " + intValue3);
        } catch (NumberFormatException e) {
            System.out.println("\nMethod 3: Using Character.digit(char, int)");
            System.out.println("'" + ch + "' is not a numeric character in radix 10.");
        }
        // Method 4: Using Unicode value
        int unicodeValue = (int) ch;
        System.out.println("\nMethod 4: Using Unicode value");
        System.out.println("Unicode value of '" + ch + "': " + unicodeValue);
        scanner.close();
    }
}

Output:

Enter a single character: a

Method 1: Using (int) casting
Character 'a' as int: 97

Method 2: Using Character.getNumericValue(char)
Numeric value of 'a': 10

Method 3: Using Character.digit(char, int)
Numeric value of 'a' with radix 10: -1

Method 4: Using Unicode value
Unicode value of 'a': 97

Additionally, Java provides the Character.getNumericValue(char) method that can be used to convert a numeric char representing a digit (such as '0' to '9') to its corresponding int value. For example, Character.getNumericValue('7') would return the int value 7.

In summary, converting a char to an int in Java is a straightforward process that involves converting the Unicode value of the char to an int. This conversion is essential when working with character data and allows for the manipulation and processing of characters in a Unicode-compatible manner.

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