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Glossary Data & Encoding

Binary

Binary is the base-2 number system, using only the digits 0 and 1, which computers use because electronic circuits are either off or on.

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In more detail

Each binary digit is a bit; each column is worth twice the one to its right (1, 2, 4, 8, 16...). Eight bits make a Byte and can hold 0 to 255. People usually write binary data in Hexadecimal, which is a shorter way to say the same bits. See How Number Bases Work: Binary, Octal and Hex.

Example

Decimal 202 is 11001010 in binary.

Try these tools

Decimal to Binary Converter

Convert decimal numbers (Base-10) to binary code (Base-2).

Binary to Decimal Converter

Convert any binary number to decimal instantly with bit/byte stats - built for networking, code, and CS students.

Binary Calculator

A free online binary calculator for arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide) and bitwise (AND, OR, XOR, NOT.

See also

  • Glossary Hexadecimal
    Hexadecimal (hex) is the base-16 number system, using digits 0-9 and letters A-F, widely used as a compact way to write binary data.
  • Glossary Byte
    A byte is a unit of digital information made of 8 bits, able to hold 256 different values from 0 to 255.
  • Guide How Number Bases Work: Binary, Octal and Hex
    Place value in binary, octal and hexadecimal, converting 202 between all of them step by step, hex colours.
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