---
title: 3.17 Bitwise XOR
description: "The bitwise XOR operator `^` compares each corresponding bit of two integer operands. A result bit is `1` when the corresponding bits are different, and `0` when they are the same. ``` #include int main() { int a = 12;…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/c-programming/operators-and-expressions/3-17-bitwise-xor/"
updated: "2026-09-07"
category: C Programming / Operators and Expressions
---

# 3.17 Bitwise XOR

The bitwise XOR operator `^` compares each corresponding bit of two integer operands. A result bit is `1` when the corresponding bits are different, and `0` when they are the same.

```
#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int a = 12;
    int b = 10;

    printf("a ^ b = %d\n", a ^ b);

    return 0;
}
```

### Example Output

```
a ^ b = 6
```

### Explanation

The values are represented in binary as:

```
12 = 1100
10 = 1010
     ----
     0110
```

Each pair of corresponding bits is compared:

| a | b | a ^ b |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `0` | `0` | `0` |
| `0` | `1` | `1` |
| `1` | `0` | `1` |
| `1` | `1` | `0` |

Therefore, `1100 ^ 1010` produces `0110`, which is decimal `6`.

The bitwise XOR operator produces `1` when the corresponding bits are different.