Convert ASCII to Arbitrary Base
Convert ASCII to Arbitrary Base text to numeric strings in any base (2-36) - choose separator, uppercase, zero-pad, and prefix. Free, client-side, instant, offline.
Encode text β ASCII, Latin-1, CJK, or emoji β into numeric strings in any base from 2 to 36. Pick the separator, case, zero-padding, and an optional per-token prefix like 0x.
How to Use Convert ASCII to Arbitrary Base
- Type or paste text into the input - plain ASCII, Latin characters, CJK, and emoji are all accepted. Iteration uses code-point awareness, so π stays one token.
- Pick the target base (2-36). The classic choices are 2 for binary, 8 for octal, 10 for decimal, and 16 for hex, but base 32 and 36 are compact options for IDs.
- Choose a separator: a single space works for casual reads, comma + space suits CSV pastes, newline gives one token per line, pipe highlights token boundaries, and dash produces `48-65-6C-6C-6F` style fingerprints.
- Toggle case (UPPER or lower) - only matters for bases above 10 where letters appear. Hex typically looks cleaner in uppercase but many style guides prefer lowercase.
- Set a zero-pad width (0 turns padding off). Use 8 for byte-aligned binary (
01001000), 2 for paired-hex dumps (48 65), or whatever keeps your columns tidy. - Add a per-token prefix if the target language needs one -
0xfor C/JavaScript hex literals,0bfor binary literals, or a language-specific marker. - Copy, Download, or press
Ctrl+Enter(β+Enteron Mac) to run the encode and copy the result in one shortcut. Reset restores the defaults without losing the input.
Frequently asked questions
What is arbitrary-base encoding?
Writing each character as the digits of a numeric system you choose. Binary (base 2), hex (base 16), and base 36 are the most common, but the tool supports every integer base from 2 up to 36.
Which bases are supported?
Every integer base from 2 to 36 inclusive. The digits used are 0-9 plus a-z – base 36 therefore uses the full ASCII alphabet of digits.
What is the default base?
Base 16 (hexadecimal). It is the most common representation for ASCII bytes and the zero-click starting point on page load.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Encoding runs entirely in your browser – nothing is uploaded, cached, or tracked. After the page loads you can disconnect the network and keep encoding indefinitely.
Why would I use this tool?
Debug custom wire formats, generate compact IDs, feed hex dumps into embedded firmware, or craft test fixtures where a specific base is required. The per-token prefix and zero-pad knobs cover most style-guide requirements.
Does it work offline?
Yes. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are self-contained. Once the page has loaded, you can turn off Wi-Fi and keep encoding – useful on air-gapped machines.
Is it free?
Yes, 100% free with no cap on input length or number of encodes. No sign-up, no premium tier, no watermark.
Does it handle emoji and CJK properly?
Yes. Iteration uses Array.from (code-point aware) and encoding uses codePointAt(0), so π emits 1F600 as a single token rather than the surrogate halves D83D DE00. CJK characters like δΈ become 4E2D in hex.
What output separators can I pick?
Space (default), comma + space, newline, pipe with spaces, or dash. The separator only goes between tokens – the output never starts or ends with one.
How do I decode back to text?
Use the sibling Arbitrary Base to ASCII converter. Round-trip is exact – emoji encoded here with base 10 (e.g. π β 128512) decode back to the original character there.