About the Handiwork Base Converter
The Base Converter converts numbers between binary, octal, decimal, hexadecimal, and any base from 2 to 36. Enter a value in one base and see it in all the others at once — indispensable for programming, debugging, and working with low-level data.
How to use the Handiwork Base Converter
- Enter a number and select its current base.
- View the equivalent in binary, octal, decimal, and hex.
- Convert to any custom base from 2 to 36.
Common number bases
Binary (base 2) is how computers store data, hexadecimal (base 16) compactly represents bytes and colors, octal (base 8) appears in file permissions, and decimal (base 10) is everyday counting. Converting between them is routine when reading memory dumps, color codes, or bit flags.
Why hexadecimal is everywhere
Each hex digit maps neatly to four binary bits, so two hex digits represent exactly one byte. That tidy relationship is why hex is used for memory addresses, color codes (like #FF8800), and encoding binary data in a human-readable way.
Frequently asked questions
What does base 16 (hexadecimal) mean?
Hexadecimal uses sixteen symbols (0–9 then A–F). It is popular in computing because each digit represents four binary bits exactly.
Can I convert to an unusual base like 36?
Yes. You can convert to any base from 2 to 36, where digits beyond 9 are represented by the letters A–Z.