Conversion

Conversion tools translate a value from one representation into another. The number itself does not change — only the way it is written down.

The base calculator converts between numeral systems: binary (base 2), octal (base 8), decimal (base 10), hexadecimal (base 16), and any other base from 2 to 36. These turn up constantly in programming. Hexadecimal is the compact way to write byte values, colour codes and memory addresses, because each hex digit maps to exactly four bits. Binary is how a value is actually stored. Octal survives mainly in Unix file permissions, where 755 is three groups of three permission bits.

Bases above 16 extend the digit set through the alphabet, so base 36 uses 0-9 then A-Z. That is why short identifiers and URL slugs are often base 36: it packs the most information into the fewest characters that survive a URL unescaped.

Converting never changes the value. 255, 0xFF and 11111111 are the same number written three ways, and the calculator moves between those forms without rounding or loss.