# Encoders

PyNaCl supports a simple method of encoding and decoding messages in different formats. Encoders are simple classes with staticmethods that encode/decode and are typically passed as a keyword argument encoder to various methods.

For example you can generate a signing key and encode it in hex with:

    hex_key = nacl.signing.SigningKey.generate().encode(encoder=nacl.encoding.HexEncoder)

Then you can later decode it from hex:

    signing_key = nacl.signing.SigningKey(hex_key, encoder=nacl.encoding.HexEncoder)

## Built in Encoders

class `nacl.encoding.``RawEncoder`

class `nacl.encoding.``HexEncoder`

class `nacl.encoding.``Base16Encoder`

class `nacl.encoding.``Base32Encoder`

class `nacl.encoding.``Base64Encoder`

class `nacl.encoding.``URLSafeBase64Encoder`

## Defining your own Encoder

Defining your own encoder is easy. Each encoder is simply a class with 2 static methods. For example here is the hex encoder:

    import binascii

    class HexEncoder(object):

        @staticmethod
        def encode(data):
            return binascii.hexlify(data)

        @staticmethod
        def decode(data):
            return binascii.unhexlify(data)