nostr_tools.to_hex¶

nostr_tools.to_hex(bech32_str)[source]¶

Convert a Bech32 encoded string to hexadecimal format.

This function decodes a Bech32 string (npub, nsec, note, etc.) and returns the underlying data as a hexadecimal string. Useful for converting user-friendly Bech32 identifiers back to hex format for protocol use.

Parameters:

bech32_str (str) – The Bech32 encoded string to convert. Examples: npub1…, nsec1…, note1…

Returns:

The hexadecimal encoded string (typically 64 characters).: Returns empty string if decoding fails.

Return type:

str

Examples

Decode public key:

>>> npub = "npub1..."
>>> pubkey_hex = to_hex(npub)
>>> len(pubkey_hex)
64

Decode private key:

>>> nsec = "nsec1..."
>>> privkey_hex = to_hex(nsec)
>>> # Use privkey_hex for signing

Decode event ID:

>>> note_id = "note1..."
>>> event_id_hex = to_hex(note_id)
>>> # Use event_id_hex to fetch event

Convert user input:

>>> user_input = input("Enter npub: ")  # User enters npub1...
>>> pubkey = to_hex(user_input)
>>> if pubkey:
...     filter = Filter(authors=[pubkey])

Round-trip conversion:

>>> original_hex = "abc123..."  # 64-char hex
>>> bech32 = to_bech32('npub', original_hex)
>>> decoded_hex = to_hex(bech32)
>>> assert original_hex == decoded_hex

Handle invalid input:

>>> result = to_hex("invalid-bech32")
>>> if not result:
...     print("Invalid Bech32 string")