Use Convert.ToUInt16 to convert hex String to UInt16
Module Example Public Sub Main() Dim hexStrings() As String = { "-13", "9", "FFFF" } For Each hexString As String In hexStrings Try Dim number As UShort = Convert.ToUInt16(hexString, 16) Console.WriteLine("Converted '{0}' to {1:N0}.", hexString, number) Catch e As Exception Console.WriteLine("Exception") End Try Next End Sub End Module