Text To Binary
Convert any text or string to binary code online for free. Supports UTF-8, UTF-16 LE and BE encodings with character-by-character breakdown and charts.
About This Calculator
The Text To Binary Converter transforms any text — including letters, numbers, symbols, and emojis — into its binary (base-2) representation. This free online tool helps students, educators, programmers, and anyone curious about how computers store text understand the fundamental encoding process used in all digital systems.
The conversion works by first encoding each character in the input text into one or more bytes using your chosen Unicode encoding (UTF-8, UTF-16 LE, or UTF-16 BE). Each byte is then converted to its 8-bit binary form. UTF-8 is the most common encoding on the web and uses 1 byte for ASCII characters and 2-4 bytes for other characters. UTF-16 uses 2 bytes for most characters and is common in Windows and Java environments. The little-endian (LE) and big-endian (BE) variants differ in which byte comes first.
The binary output can be displayed with spaces between bytes, commas, or no separator. The breakdown table shows each original character alongside its binary representation and the number of bytes used, making it easy to see which characters take more space.
Regional Notes
Global: This text to binary converter works with any language or script supported by Unicode. UTF-8 encoding is universally recommended for web content and data interchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert text to binary?
Type or paste your text into the input box, choose a character encoding (UTF-8 recommended), pick a separator, and click Convert to Binary. Each character gets encoded to bytes which are then displayed as 8-bit binary numbers.
How is the letter A expressed in binary?
The letter A in binary is 01000001 under UTF-8 encoding. The ASCII code for A is 65, and 65 in binary is 01000001 (padded to 8 bits).
What is the difference between UTF-8 and UTF-16 encoding?
UTF-8 encodes each ASCII character in 1 byte and uses 2-4 bytes for other characters, making it efficient for English text. UTF-16 encodes most characters in 2 bytes, which can be more efficient for non-English scripts like Chinese or Japanese. UTF-16 LE and BE differ in byte order (little-endian vs big-endian).
Is this text to binary converter free?
Yes, this text to binary converter is completely free to use with no registration or hidden charges. You can convert unlimited text.
Can I share my binary conversion results?
Yes, the URL automatically saves your input text, encoding, and separator settings. You can bookmark or share the link to revisit the exact conversion.
What is binary code used for?
Binary code (0s and 1s) is the fundamental language of computers. Every piece of data — text, images, audio, video — is stored and processed as binary. Converting text to binary helps understand how computers represent and manipulate information at the lowest level.
Does this converter support emojis and non-English characters?
Yes, UTF-8 encoding supports all Unicode characters including emojis, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and other non-English scripts. Each character is encoded into its binary bytes according to the Unicode standard.
Why are binary numbers padded to 8 bits?
Binary bytes are padded to 8 bits because modern computers organize data in bytes (8-bit units). Padding ensures each byte is displayed as a full 8-bit binary number, making it easier to read and understand the byte boundaries.