Number Bases
Regrouping binary into octal and hex
Because eight and sixteen are powers of two, bits can be regrouped directly without passing through decimal.
The Formula
1 octal digit = 3 bits, 1 hex digit = 4 bits
Because eight and sixteen are powers of two, bits can be regrouped directly without passing through decimal.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| octal | Octal digit | bits | Three binary digits. |
| hex | Hex digit | bits | Four binary digits. |
What Each Symbol Means
octalbits
Octal digit
Three binary digits.
hexbits
Hex digit
Four binary digits.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to convert number bases page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Convert Number Bases, filed under Unit Conversion. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.