diff --git a/library/common.h b/library/common.h
index 9e4b031..baef72d 100644
--- a/library/common.h
+++ b/library/common.h
@@ -66,4 +66,14 @@
  */
 #define MBEDTLS_ALLOW_PRIVATE_ACCESS
 
+/** Byte Reading Macros
+ * 
+ * To tidy up code and save horizontal and vertical space, use byte 
+ * reading macros to cast
+ */
+#define BYTE_0( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( x ) & 0xff )  )
+#define BYTE_1( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( ( x ) >> 8 ) & 0xff )  )
+#define BYTE_2( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( ( x ) >> 16 ) & 0xff ) )
+#define BYTE_3( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( ( x ) >> 24 ) & 0xff ) )
+
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_LIBRARY_COMMON_H */