diff --git a/samples/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.Samples/EnumLikeClasses/EnumLikeClassDemos.cs b/samples/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.Samples/EnumLikeClasses/EnumLikeClassDemos.cs
index 0e55beef..07e7010f 100644
--- a/samples/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.Samples/EnumLikeClasses/EnumLikeClassDemos.cs
+++ b/samples/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.Samples/EnumLikeClasses/EnumLikeClassDemos.cs
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ private static void DemoForNonValidatableEnum(ILogger logger)
          var productType = ProductType.Get("Groceries");
          logger.Information("Product type: {type}", productType);
 
+         productType = (ProductType)"Groceries";
+         logger.Information("Explicitly casted product type: {type}", productType);
+
          if (ProductType.TryGet("Housewares", out var housewares))
             logger.Information("Product type {type} with TryGet found", housewares);
 
diff --git a/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/EnumSourceGenerator.cs b/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/EnumSourceGenerator.cs
index 16a71b7c..67a2d417 100644
--- a/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/EnumSourceGenerator.cs
+++ b/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/EnumSourceGenerator.cs
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ internal static void ModuleInit()
 
          GeneratedTryGet();
          GenerateImplicitConversion();
+         GenerateExplicitConversion();
          GenerateEqualityOperators();
          GenerateTypedEquals();
 
@@ -216,7 +217,7 @@ private void GenerateImplicitConversion()
          _sb.Append($@"
 
       /// <summary>
-      /// Implicit conversion to the type of <see cref=""{_state.KeyType}""/>.
+      /// Implicit conversion to the type <see cref=""{_state.KeyType}""/>.
       /// </summary>
       /// <param name=""item"">Item to covert.</param>
       /// <returns>The <see cref=""{_state.KeyPropertyName}""/> of provided <paramref name=""item""/> or <c>default</c> if <paramref name=""item""/> is <c>null</c>.</returns>
@@ -239,6 +240,22 @@ private void GenerateImplicitConversion()
       }}");
       }
 
+      private void GenerateExplicitConversion()
+      {
+         _sb.Append($@"
+
+      /// <summary>
+      /// Explicit conversion from the type <see cref=""{_state.KeyType}""/>.
+      /// </summary>
+      /// <param name=""{_state.KeyArgumentName}"">Value to covert.</param>
+      /// <returns>An instance of <see cref=""{_state.EnumIdentifier}""/> if the <paramref name=""{_state.KeyArgumentName}""/> is a known item or implements <see cref=""IValidatableEnum{{TKey}}""/>.</returns>
+      [return: NotNullIfNotNull(""{_state.KeyArgumentName}"")]
+      public static explicit operator {_state.EnumIdentifier}{_state.NullableQuestionMarkEnum}({_state.KeyType}{_state.NullableQuestionMarkKey} {_state.KeyArgumentName})
+      {{
+         return {_state.EnumIdentifier}.Get({_state.KeyArgumentName});
+      }}");
+      }
+
       private void GenerateTypedEquals()
       {
          _sb.Append($@"
diff --git a/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/ValueTypeSourceGenerator.cs b/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/ValueTypeSourceGenerator.cs
index 44174143..3b4408ad 100644
--- a/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/ValueTypeSourceGenerator.cs
+++ b/src/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator/CodeAnalysis/ValueTypeSourceGenerator.cs
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ internal static void ModuleInit()
          {
             GenerateFactoryMethod(_state.KeyMember);
             GenerateImplicitConversion(_state.KeyMember);
+            GenerateExplicitConversion(_state.KeyMember);
          }
 
          GenerateConstructor();
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ private void GenerateImplicitConversion(InstanceMemberInfo keyMember)
          _sb.Append($@"
 
       /// <summary>
-      /// Implicit conversion to the type of <see cref=""{keyMember.Type}""/>.
+      /// Implicit conversion to the type <see cref=""{keyMember.Type}""/>.
       /// </summary>
       /// <param name=""obj"">Object to covert.</param>
       /// <returns>The <see cref=""{keyMember.Identifier}""/> of provided <paramref name=""obj""/> or <c>default</c> if <paramref name=""obj""/> is <c>null</c>.</returns>
@@ -163,6 +164,21 @@ private void GenerateImplicitConversion(InstanceMemberInfo keyMember)
       }}");
       }
 
+      private void GenerateExplicitConversion(InstanceMemberInfo keyMember)
+      {
+         _sb.Append($@"
+
+      /// <summary>
+      /// Explicit conversion from the type <see cref=""{keyMember.Type}""/>.
+      /// </summary>
+      /// <param name=""{keyMember.ArgumentName}"">Value to covert.</param>
+      /// <returns>An instance of <see cref=""{_state.TypeIdentifier}""/>.</returns>
+      public static explicit operator {_state.TypeIdentifier}({keyMember.Type} {keyMember.ArgumentName})
+      {{
+         return {_state.TypeIdentifier}.Create({keyMember.ArgumentName});
+      }}");
+      }
+
       private void GenerateFactoryMethod(InstanceMemberInfo keyMember)
       {
          _sb.Append($@"
diff --git a/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/EnumSourceGeneratorTests.cs b/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/EnumSourceGeneratorTests.cs
index 8803a0ef..71df8dd0 100644
--- a/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/EnumSourceGeneratorTests.cs
+++ b/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/EnumSourceGeneratorTests.cs
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ internal static void ModuleInit()
          Expression<Func<TestEnum, string?>> convertToKeyExpression = item => item.Key;
 
          var enumType = typeof(TestEnum);
-         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
+         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), false, convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
 
          ValueTypeMetadataLookup.AddMetadata(enumType, metadata);
       }
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string key, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Tes
       }
 
       /// <summary>
-      /// Implicit conversion to the type of <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// Implicit conversion to the type <see cref=""string""/>.
       /// </summary>
       /// <param name=""item"">Item to covert.</param>
       /// <returns>The <see cref=""Key""/> of provided <paramref name=""item""/> or <c>default</c> if <paramref name=""item""/> is <c>null</c>.</returns>
@@ -154,6 +154,17 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string key, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Tes
          return item is null ? default : item.Key;
       }
 
+      /// <summary>
+      /// Explicit conversion from the type <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// </summary>
+      /// <param name=""key"">Value to covert.</param>
+      /// <returns>An instance of <see cref=""TestEnum""/> if the <paramref name=""key""/> is a known item or implements <see cref=""IValidatableEnum{TKey}""/>.</returns>
+      [return: NotNullIfNotNull(""key"")]
+      public static explicit operator TestEnum?(string? key)
+      {
+         return TestEnum.Get(key);
+      }
+
       /// <summary>
       /// Compares to instances of <see cref=""TestEnum""/>.
       /// </summary>
@@ -336,7 +347,7 @@ internal static void ModuleInit()
          Expression<Func<TestEnum, string?>> convertToKeyExpression = item => item.Key;
 
          var enumType = typeof(TestEnum);
-         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
+         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), true, convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
 
          ValueTypeMetadataLookup.AddMetadata(enumType, metadata);
       }
@@ -447,7 +458,7 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string key, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Tes
       }
 
       /// <summary>
-      /// Implicit conversion to the type of <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// Implicit conversion to the type <see cref=""string""/>.
       /// </summary>
       /// <param name=""item"">Item to covert.</param>
       /// <returns>The <see cref=""Key""/> of provided <paramref name=""item""/> or <c>default</c> if <paramref name=""item""/> is <c>null</c>.</returns>
@@ -457,6 +468,17 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string key, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Tes
          return item is null ? default : item.Key;
       }
 
+      /// <summary>
+      /// Explicit conversion from the type <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// </summary>
+      /// <param name=""key"">Value to covert.</param>
+      /// <returns>An instance of <see cref=""TestEnum""/> if the <paramref name=""key""/> is a known item or implements <see cref=""IValidatableEnum{TKey}""/>.</returns>
+      [return: NotNullIfNotNull(""key"")]
+      public static explicit operator TestEnum?(string? key)
+      {
+         return TestEnum.Get(key);
+      }
+
       /// <summary>
       /// Compares to instances of <see cref=""TestEnum""/>.
       /// </summary>
@@ -609,7 +631,7 @@ internal static void ModuleInit()
          Expression<Func<TestEnum, string?>> convertToKeyExpression = item => item.Key;
 
          var enumType = typeof(TestEnum);
-         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
+         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), true, convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
 
          ValueTypeMetadataLookup.AddMetadata(enumType, metadata);
       }
@@ -717,7 +739,7 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string key, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Tes
       }
 
       /// <summary>
-      /// Implicit conversion to the type of <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// Implicit conversion to the type <see cref=""string""/>.
       /// </summary>
       /// <param name=""item"">Item to covert.</param>
       /// <returns>The <see cref=""Key""/> of provided <paramref name=""item""/> or <c>default</c> if <paramref name=""item""/> is <c>null</c>.</returns>
@@ -727,6 +749,17 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string key, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Tes
          return item.Key;
       }
 
+      /// <summary>
+      /// Explicit conversion from the type <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// </summary>
+      /// <param name=""key"">Value to covert.</param>
+      /// <returns>An instance of <see cref=""TestEnum""/> if the <paramref name=""key""/> is a known item or implements <see cref=""IValidatableEnum{TKey}""/>.</returns>
+      [return: NotNullIfNotNull(""key"")]
+      public static explicit operator TestEnum(string? key)
+      {
+         return TestEnum.Get(key);
+      }
+
       /// <summary>
       /// Compares to instances of <see cref=""TestEnum""/>.
       /// </summary>
@@ -898,7 +931,7 @@ internal static void ModuleInit()
          Expression<Func<TestEnum, string?>> convertToKeyExpression = item => item.Name;
 
          var enumType = typeof(TestEnum);
-         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
+         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(enumType, typeof(string), true, convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
 
          ValueTypeMetadataLookup.AddMetadata(enumType, metadata);
       }
@@ -1009,7 +1042,7 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string name, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Te
       }
 
       /// <summary>
-      /// Implicit conversion to the type of <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// Implicit conversion to the type <see cref=""string""/>.
       /// </summary>
       /// <param name=""item"">Item to covert.</param>
       /// <returns>The <see cref=""Name""/> of provided <paramref name=""item""/> or <c>default</c> if <paramref name=""item""/> is <c>null</c>.</returns>
@@ -1019,6 +1052,17 @@ public static bool TryGet([AllowNull] string name, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Te
          return item is null ? default : item.Name;
       }
 
+      /// <summary>
+      /// Explicit conversion from the type <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// </summary>
+      /// <param name=""name"">Value to covert.</param>
+      /// <returns>An instance of <see cref=""TestEnum""/> if the <paramref name=""name""/> is a known item or implements <see cref=""IValidatableEnum{TKey}""/>.</returns>
+      [return: NotNullIfNotNull(""name"")]
+      public static explicit operator TestEnum?(string? name)
+      {
+         return TestEnum.Get(name);
+      }
+
       /// <summary>
       /// Compares to instances of <see cref=""TestEnum""/>.
       /// </summary>
diff --git a/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/ValueTypeSourceGeneratorTests.cs b/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/ValueTypeSourceGeneratorTests.cs
index 79563312..86d751b1 100644
--- a/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/ValueTypeSourceGeneratorTests.cs
+++ b/test/Thinktecture.Runtime.Extensions.SourceGenerator.Tests/SourceGeneratorTests/ValueTypeSourceGeneratorTests.cs
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ internal static void ModuleInit()
          Expression<Func<TestValueType, string>> convertToKeyExpression = obj => obj.ReferenceField;
 
          var type = typeof(TestValueType);
-         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(type, typeof(string), convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
+         var metadata = new ValueTypeMetadata(type, typeof(string), false, convertFromKey, convertFromKeyExpression, convertToKey, convertToKeyExpression);
 
          ValueTypeMetadataLookup.AddMetadata(type, metadata);
       }
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ public static bool TryCreate(
       static partial void ValidateFactoryArguments(ref string referenceField);
 
       /// <summary>
-      /// Implicit conversion to the type of <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// Implicit conversion to the type <see cref=""string""/>.
       /// </summary>
       /// <param name=""obj"">Object to covert.</param>
       /// <returns>The <see cref=""ReferenceField""/> of provided <paramref name=""obj""/> or <c>default</c> if <paramref name=""obj""/> is <c>null</c>.</returns>
@@ -340,6 +340,16 @@ public static bool TryCreate(
          return obj is null ? default : obj.ReferenceField;
       }
 
+      /// <summary>
+      /// Explicit conversion from the type <see cref=""string""/>.
+      /// </summary>
+      /// <param name=""referenceField"">Value to covert.</param>
+      /// <returns>An instance of <see cref=""TestValueType""/>.</returns>
+      public static explicit operator TestValueType(string referenceField)
+      {
+         return TestValueType.Create(referenceField);
+      }
+
       private TestValueType(string referenceField)
       {
          ValidateConstructorArguments(ref referenceField);