Binary Translator
Convert binary to text and text to binary instantly. Each character becomes its code point, encoded as 8-bit bytes using UTF-8 — so accented letters and emoji round-trip, not just plain ASCII. Switch the base to decimal or hex, pick a separator, and swap direction with one click. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Translated entirely in your browser with TextEncoder / TextDecoder — generated locally, nothing uploaded. Binary is an encoding, not encryption; it keeps nothing secret.
What this tool is
- A free, in-browser binary translator: convert text to binary and binary back to text, both directions, with a one-click swap.
- Text becomes binary by taking each character’s code point and encoding it as 8-bit bytes using UTF-8, so emoji and accented letters round-trip correctly — not just plain ASCII.
- Switch the number base between binary (base 2), decimal (0–255 per byte) or hexadecimal (two hex digits per byte), and choose a space separator or none.
- Decoding tolerates stray and irregular spacing, and tells you clearly when a group is not a valid byte instead of silently producing garbage.
- Everything runs client-side with the browser’s TextEncoder / TextDecoder. Nothing you type or paste is ever sent to a server.
How text ↔ binary works
Computers store text as numbers. Every character has a code point — a number assigned by the ASCII and Unicode standards. Capital A is 65, lowercase a is 97, a space is 32. To write that number in binary you express it in base 2. Since a byte is 8 bits, each ASCII character lands in a single 8-bit group: A → 01000001.
ASCII vs UTF-8
The 128 original ASCII characters each fit in one byte, so they are one 8-bit group. Anything beyond that — é, €, CJK characters, emoji — is encoded with UTF-8, which uses two, three or four bytes. This tool encodes your text as UTF-8 first and writes each of those bytes as its own 8-bit group, so a single emoji can produce four groups. That is standard UTF-8, and it is exactly what lets the binary decode back to the original text with no loss.
Grouping, separators and base
- 8-bit byte grouping. Binary output is padded to a full 8 bits per byte, so groups line up and decode unambiguously even without separators.
- Space-separated bytes. A space between groups is the most readable form; choose "none" for a solid stream. Decoding tolerates any irregular spacing.
- Decimal and hex views. The same bytes can be shown as decimal numbers (0–255) or two hex digits each — handy for debugging protocols and file formats.
Quick reference (8-bit binary)
| Char | Decimal | Binary |
|---|---|---|
| A | 65 | 01000001 |
| B | 66 | 01000010 |
| a | 97 | 01100001 |
| b | 98 | 01100010 |
| 0 | 48 | 00110000 |
| 1 | 49 | 00110001 |
| space | 32 | 00100000 |
| ! | 33 | 00100001 |
Security note: Binary is an encoding, not encryption. Converting text to binary hides nothing — anyone can convert it straight back with no key. Treat binary, Base64, hex and Morse the same way: fine for representation and transport, useless for secrecy. When data must stay private, use real cryptography (authenticated encryption such as AES-GCM) and protect the key.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert text to binary?
Every character has a numeric code point defined by the Unicode/ASCII standard — for example capital A is 65, lowercase a is 97, and a space is 32. To turn text into binary you take that number and write it in base 2. Because a byte is 8 bits, each ASCII character becomes an 8-bit group: A (65) is 01000001, a (97) is 01100001, and a space (32) is 00100000. This tool encodes the text as UTF-8 first, so characters outside basic ASCII (accented letters, symbols, emoji) are expanded into their two-, three- or four-byte UTF-8 sequences and each of those bytes is written as its own 8-bit group. Reading the binary back the same way reconstructs the original text exactly.
How do you convert binary to text?
Split the binary into 8-bit groups (one byte each), read each group as a base-2 number to get a value from 0 to 255, then map those bytes back to characters. This tool treats the resulting bytes as UTF-8 and decodes them, which correctly reassembles multi-byte characters. It tolerates extra or missing spaces between groups, and if a group is not a valid byte — the wrong length, or containing a digit that is not allowed for the chosen base — it tells you instead of guessing. You can also decode decimal (space-separated numbers 0–255) or hexadecimal (two hex digits per byte) by switching the base.
What is the binary for the letter A?
Capital A has code point 65, which is 01000001 in 8-bit binary (64 + 1). Lowercase a is code point 97, or 01100001. Capital B is 66 (01000010) and lowercase b is 98 (01100010). Digits start at 0 = 48 (00110000), and a space is 32 (00100000). The lowercase letters sit exactly 32 higher than their uppercase counterparts, which is why toggling case flips a single bit. Paste any text into the translator above to see the full breakdown.
Why does my text use 8 bits per character but UTF-8 uses more for some characters?
Plain ASCII characters (the letters, digits and punctuation on a US keyboard) each fit in a single byte, so they show as one 8-bit group. Characters outside that range — é, €, 你, 😀 — do not fit in one byte, so UTF-8 represents them with two, three or four bytes. The translator writes each of those bytes as its own 8-bit group, which is why a single emoji can produce four groups of binary. This is standard UTF-8 behaviour and it is exactly what lets the text round-trip back to the original.
Is binary a form of encryption or a way to hide data securely?
No. Binary is just a different way of writing the same characters — a base-2 encoding of the code points, not a cipher. Anyone can convert it straight back to the original text with a tool like this one, no key required. Encoding (binary, Base64, hex, URL-encoding, Morse) provides zero confidentiality and must never be treated as a security control. If you need to protect data, use real cryptography — authenticated encryption such as AES-GCM — and keep the key secret. Encoding is for transport and representation; encryption is for secrecy.