Humans usually count using ten fingers, but computers use different systems to organize information more efficiently.

The World of Counting

Computers are made of tiny switches that can only be either 'on' or 'off,' which is the basis for all digital logic.

Thinking in On and Off

The binary system uses only two symbols, zero and one, to represent any number or piece of data.

Hexadecimal is a 'base-16' system that turns long, confusing strings of binary into shorter codes that are easier for humans to read.

Because hexadecimal needs sixteen symbols, it uses the numbers zero through nine and the letters A through F to represent values.

Every single hexadecimal character represents exactly four bits of binary, making it a perfect translation tool for programmers.

Web designers use hexadecimal codes like #FF0000 to tell computers exactly how much red, green, and blue to show on a screen.

Computers use hexadecimal to give every 'parking spot' in their memory a unique name so they can find saved data quickly.