Convert Text to Binary
Translate text into 8-bit binary code instantly. Supports UTF-8 characters and emojis.
Configuration
Adds '0b' before each byte (e.g. 0b01000001)
Did you know?
Computers don't strictly understand text. They map characters to numbers. In the UTF-8 standard (used on 98% of the web), most English letters use 1 byte (8 bits).
Continue with Related Tools
How Computers Read Text
The Convert Text to Binary tool allows you to see the world through a computer's eyes. Unlike humans, who recognize shapes and letters, computers only process electrical signals:On (1) and Off (0). This tool bridges that gap by translating any text—whether it's a simple "Hi" or a complex emoji-filled message—into the raw machine code used by processors.
Why use a Binary Converter?
Understand Data Storage
Visualize how much space your text strictly requires. See why an emoji (4 bytes) takes up four times more space than the letter 'A' (1 byte).
Debug Encoding
Developers can use this to verify UTF-8 byte sequences or debug character encoding issues in their applications.
Step-by-Step Translation
- Character Input: You type a letter, say
K. - Decimal Lookup: The computer looks up
Kin the ASCII/Unicode table and finds it is number75. - Binary Conversion: The number 75 is converted to base-2 math:
64 + 8 + 2 + 1 = 75
This results in the bits01001011.
Advanced Features
- UTF-8 SupportWe don't just do simple ASCII. We handle multi-byte characters (Japanese, Emoji, Symbols) correctly.
- File ProcessingUpload entire text documents to convert them in bulk without copy-pasting.
- Developer FormatsNeed comma-separated bytes for a C array? Or `0b` prefixes for Python? We've got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does text become binary?
Computers translate text into binary using character encoding standards like ASCII or UTF-8. Each character is assigned a specific number (code point), which is then converted into a sequence of 0s and 1s (bits).
Why is binary used in computers?
Binary (base-2) is the fundamental language of computer processors because it maps directly to physical hardware states: 'on' (1) and 'off' (0) in transistors.
What is 8-bit binary?
8-bit binary, also known as a byte, is a sequence of eight bits (e.g., 01010101). It is the standard unit of digital information storage and can represent 256 different values (0 to 255).
Does this tool support emojis?
Yes! We use UTF-8 encoding, which means emojis and special characters are correctly converted. Emojis usually require 4 bytes (32 bits) of binary data.
How do I convert a text file to binary?
Simply click the 'Load' button in our tool to upload a .txt file. The tool will instantly convert the entire file's contents into binary code, which you can then save.
What is the binary code for 'A'?
The uppercase letter 'A' has an ASCII decimal value of 65. In 8-bit binary, 65 is written as 01000001.
What is the binary code for a space?
A space character is not empty; it has an ASCII value of 32. Its binary representation is 00100000.
Can I convert binary back to text?
Yes, binary is a two-way translation. While this specific page converts Text to Binary, you can use a Binary to Text converter to reverse the process.
What is the difference between ASCII and UTF-8?
ASCII is an older 7-bit standard limited to English characters. UTF-8 is a modern variable-width encoding that can represent every character in the world, including emojis, while remaining backward compatible with ASCII.
Why do some binary strings start with '0b'?
'0b' is a prefix used in programming languages (like Python, JavaScript, and C++) to indicate that the following number is in binary format rather than decimal.
How many bits are in a kilobyte?
There are 8 bits in a byte. A kilobyte (KB) traditionally contains 1,024 bytes, so a kilobyte holds 8,192 bits (1024 x 8).
Can I use custom delimiters?
Yes, our tool allows you to separate binary bytes with spaces, commas, or any custom character you prefer to make the output easier to read.
Is the conversion performed on the server?
No, this tool runs entirely in your browser using Client-Side JavaScript. Your text and files are processed locally on your device and are never sent to our servers.
What is the maximum file size I can upload?
To ensure browser performance, we limit file uploads to 1MB. This is sufficient for very large text documents containing hundreds of thousands of characters.
Why is 'Hello' converted to 5 bytes?
The word 'Hello' has 5 characters. In standard ASCII/UTF-8 encoding, each English letter takes up 1 byte (8 bits). So 5 characters x 8 bits = 40 bits total.