Number Base Converter
Convert between binary, octal, decimal, and hex
Binary (Base 2)
11111111
Octal (Base 8)
377
Decimal (Base 10)
255
Hexadecimal (Base 16)
FF
Binary Visualization (8-bit groups)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are number bases?
Binary (base 2), octal (base 8), decimal (base 10), hexadecimal (base 16).
Why use hexadecimal?
1 hex digit = 4 binary digits. Compact for memory addresses, colors (#FF0000), and byte values.
Decimal to binary?
Divide by 2 repeatedly, record remainders. 13 = 1101 in binary.
Why does binary use base-2 while computers process data?
Computers use binary because electronic circuits have two reliable states: on and off (1 and 0). This two-state system is the most reliable way to store and process data electronically.
How do I convert between octal and hexadecimal directly?
Convert to binary as an intermediate step. Each octal digit maps to 3 binary digits, and each hex digit maps to 4 binary digits. Group the binary accordingly to convert between the two bases.
Number Bases
Binary (Base 2): Uses 0 and 1. Fundamental for computers.
Octal (Base 8): Uses 0-7. Sometimes used in computing.
Decimal (Base 10): Uses 0-9. Standard human number system.
Hexadecimal (Base 16): Uses 0-9 and A-F. Common in programming.
Common Values
255 decimal = FF hex = 11111111 binary (max 8-bit value)
256 decimal = 100 hex = 100000000 binary
65535 decimal = FFFF hex (max 16-bit value)