Why programmers use different bases
Computers store everything as bits (binary). Hexadecimal packs four bits into one digit, so a byte is exactly two hex digits - which is why colours, memory addresses and hashes are written in hex. Octal groups three bits and still appears in Unix file permissions such as 755.
Quick table
| Decimal | Binary | Hex |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0000 | 0 |
| 5 | 0101 | 5 |
| 10 | 1010 | A |
| 15 | 1111 | F |
| 255 | 1111 1111 | FF |
Notes
Negative numbers are shown with a minus sign rather than in two's-complement form. Only whole numbers are supported.
Frequently asked questions
What is 0xFF?
The prefix 0x means hexadecimal; FF is 255 in decimal.
How big a number can I convert?
Very large integers work because the tool uses arbitrary-precision BigInt.
Can I convert fractions?
Not in this tool - integers only.