How to Convert Binary to Octal Number

Converting by Hand

1. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 1
   Recognize series of binary numbers. Binary numbers are simply strings of 1's and 0's, such as 101001, 001, or even just 1. If you see this kind of string it is usually binary. However, some books and teachers further denote binary numbers through a subscript "2", such as 1001₂, which prevents confusion with the number "one thousand and one."

   1. This subscript denotes the "base" of the number. Binary is a base-two system, octal is base-eight.
2. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 2
   Group all the 1's and 0's in the binary number in sets of three, starting from the far right. There are two different binary numbers and only eight octal. Since 23=8,{displaystyle 2^{3}=8,} How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 3 you'll need three binary numbers to designate each octal number. Start from the right to make your groups. For example, the binary number 101001 would break down to 101 001.
3. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 4
   Add zeros to the left of the last digit if you don't have enough digits to make a set of three. The binary number 10011011 has eight digits, which, though not a multiple of three, can still convert to octal. Just add extra zeros to your front group until it has three places. For example:

   1. Original Binary: 10011011
   2. Grouping: 10 011 011
   3. Adding Zeros for Groups of Three: 010 011 011^{[1] X Research source}
4. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 5
   Add a 4, 2, and a 1 underneath each set of three numbers to note your placeholders. Each of the three binary numbers in a set stands for a place in the octal number system. The first number is for a 4, the second a 2, and the third a 1. To keep things straight, write these numbers underneath your sets of three binary numbers. For example:

   1. 010 011 011
      421 421 421
   2. 001
      421
   3. 110 010 001
      421 421 421
   4. Note, if you're looking for a shortcut, you can skip this step and just compare your sets of binary numbers to this octal conversion chart.
5. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 6
   If there is a one above any of your placeholders, write that number (4, 2, or 1) to start your octal numbers. If there is a one above the "4," then your octal number has a 4 in it. If there is a 0 above the one's place, the octal number does not have a one in it, so leave a blank, zero, or dash. As seen in an example:

   1. Problem:
      1. Convert 101010011₂ to octal.
   2. Separate into threes:
      1. 101 010 011
   3. Add placeholders:
      1. 101 010 011
         421 421 421
   4. Mark each places:
      1. 101 010 011
         421 421 421
         401 020 021^{[2] X Research source}
6. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 7
   Add up the new numbers in each set of three. Once you know what places are in the octal number, simply add up each set of three individually. So, for 101, which turns into 4, 0, and 1, you end up with 5 (4+0+1=5{displaystyle 4+0+1=5} How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 8 ). Continuing the example above:

   1. Problem:
      1. Convert 101010011₂ to octal.
   2. Separate, add placeholders, and mark each place:
      1. 101 010 011
         421 421 421
         401 020 021
   3. Add up each set of three:
      1. (4+0+1)(0+2+0)(0+2+1)=5,2,3{displaystyle (4+0+1)(0+2+0)(0+2+1)=5,2,3} How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 9
7. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 10
   Place your newly converted answers together to form your final octal number. Splitting up the binary number was just to make solving easier -- the original number was one lone string. So, now that you've converted, put everything back together to get your final answer. That's all it takes.

   1. Problem:
      1. Convert 101010011₂ to octal.
   2. Separate, add placeholders, mark places, and add totals:
      1. 101 010 011
         5 — 2 — 3
   3. Put converted numbers back together:
      1. 523
8. How to Convert Binary to Octal Number Picture 11
   Add a subscript 8 (like this₈) to complete the conversion. There is technically no way to know if 523 refers to an octal number or a normal base-ten number without proper notation. To ensure that your teacher knows you've been doing the work well, place a subscript 8, referring to octal as a base-8 system, on your answer.

   1. Problem:
      1. Convert 101010011₂ to octal.
   2. Conversion:
      1. 523.
   3. Final Answer:
      1. 523₈^{[3] X Research source}