Base Converter
Convert numbers between binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal instantly. Ideal for programmers and students.
000Number base converter
A base converter lets you represent the same number in different numeral systems: decimal (base 10), binary (base 2), octal (base 8) and hexadecimal (base 16). Computing is based on the binary system.
How bases work
The decimal system uses 0 to 9, binary uses only 0 and 1, octal uses 0 to 7 and hexadecimal uses 0 to 15 (representing 10 to 15 with the letters A to F).
Useful examples
- Binary: the decimal number 10 is written as 1010 in binary.
- Hexadecimal: the design color #FF0000 is pure red in hexadecimal.
- Octal: file permissions in Linux are expressed in octal, such as 755.
Why computers use binary
Computers work with on/off switches, represented with 0 and 1. That is why the binary system is the foundation of all computing. Octal and hexadecimal are just more compact ways to write groups of bits: each hexadecimal digit equals 4 bits, which makes it easier to read and write large values.
Where you find these bases every day
- Colors in design and web: hexadecimal codes like #FF5733.
- File permissions in Linux, written in octal.
- Network and memory addresses in computing.