Convert text to binary and binary back to text.
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Uses of binary encoding
- Teaching or learning how computers store text
- Inspecting the exact byte layout of a string
- Solving puzzles or CTF challenges that hide text in binary
- Sanity-checking how a character is encoded in UTF-8
binary encoding pitfalls
- Pasting a bit count that is not a multiple of eight
- Assuming one character is always one byte (UTF-8 uses more for accents and emoji)
binary encoding questions (6)
How is text converted to binary?
Each character is first turned into its UTF-8 byte value, and each byte is written as eight binary digits (bits). The letter "H", for example, is byte 72, which is 01001000. The converter shows one 8-bit group per byte, separated by spaces.
Why do some characters produce more than eight bits?
Plain English letters and digits fit in a single byte, so they are eight bits each. Accented letters, symbols, and emoji are encoded by UTF-8 as two, three, or four bytes, so they produce that many 8-bit groups.
How do I convert binary back to text?
Paste the 0s and 1s into the converter and it decodes them. It reads the bits in groups of eight, turns each group into a byte, and decodes the bytes as UTF-8. Spaces and other separators are ignored, so grouped or ungrouped binary both work.
Why do I get an error about a multiple of eight?
Every byte is exactly eight bits, so the total number of 0s and 1s must be divisible by eight. If you are one or two digits off, a group is incomplete and cannot be decoded. Check for a missing or extra bit.
Is binary a way to encrypt or hide text?
No. Binary is just another way to write the same data, and anyone can convert it straight back. It offers no secrecy. Use a hash or real encryption if you need to protect information.
Does the conversion happen on my device?
Yes. The conversion runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored on a server.