Letters have codes
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Binary foundations · Data representation
Two symbols. Many ways to represent information.
Binary uses 0 and 1 as its digits. Each position has a place value, and the value of a number comes from adding the positions marked 1.
Try the converter
Try it yourself
Convert a decimal number to 8-bit binary.
Enter a whole number from 0 to 255. The tool shows its eight-bit representation and the place values that add up to it.
- Each position doubles as you move left
- A 1 means the place value is included
- A 0 means that place value is left out
Binary explorer
Choose a number.
For example, 13 becomes 00001101.
8-bit output
00001101
13 = 8 + 4 + 1
Place values
Read the bit pattern from right to left.
With eight positions, the place values are powers of two from 1 up to 128. For 00001101, the 1s sit over 8, 4, and 1.
Pixels store color values
A digital image can be described as a grid of pixels. Each pixel stores data according to a color model and bit depth.
Measurements become samples
Digital audio represents sound through a sequence of measurements taken at regular intervals.
Bits set a range
A fixed number of bits can represent a finite set of values. Signed and unsigned conventions change what those values mean.
Next step
Now see how bits can make decisions.
Logic gates take one or more binary inputs and produce an output based on a rule. Combine them and you can model more complex behavior.
Go to Logic LabQuick check
What is 00001010 in decimal? Add the place values for each 1: 8 + 2 = 10.