A Practical Guide to Number Base Conversions
Learn how to move between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal without the headache.
Base conversions sound academic until you need them. Log analysis, network packets, color values, and unique identifiers all bounce between bases.
Binary to decimal
Binary is positional with base 2. The rightmost bit is 2^0, then 2^1, 2^2, and so on. Summing positions where bits equal 1 yields the decimal value. Try our Binary to Decimal Converter to see this instantly.
Decimal to hexadecimal
Hex (base 16) is compact and human-friendly for representing large values. Developers love it for memory addresses and colors (e.g., #FF5733). Use our Decimal to Hex Converter to translate numbers in one click.
Tips
- Validate inputs; whitespace and commas often sneak in.
- Watch for signed vs. unsigned interpretations.
- Stick to uppercase hex (A–F) for consistency.
Conclusion
Once you grasp the pattern, conversions are routine. Let tools do the math so you stay focused on intent.