Bitwise Calculator

Q: What are bitwise operations?

Bitwise operations are fundamental actions that manipulate the individual bits (0s and 1s) of numbers. They are used in programming for tasks like setting flags, data compression, and encryption.

Q: What do the main operations (AND, OR, XOR) do?

These operations compare the bits of two numbers. AND sets a bit to 1 if both input bits are 1. OR sets a bit to 1 if either input bit is 1. XOR sets a bit to 1 if the input bits are different.

Q: Why does the calculator use 32 bits?

Our calculator uses 32 bits because it is a very common standard for these operations in most programming languages and computer systems, providing a clear and practical representation.

Q: How are negative numbers handled?

The calculator represents negative numbers using the 'two's complement' method, which is the standard way computers handle them. The far-left bit acts as a sign indicator.

Tools

Bitwise Calculator

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Input A

Hex Decimal Binary

Operation

AND OR XOR NOT << Left Shift >> Right Shift

Input B

Hex Decimal Binary

Result

Hexadecimal
Decimal
Binary


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About the Bitwise Calculator

We built this Bitwise Calculator as a helpful tool for developers, students, and anyone working with low-level data. Bitwise operations are actions that work directly on the individual bits (the 0s and 1s) that make up numbers. Our calculator lets you perform these operations easily and see exactly what's happening behind the scenes.

You can enter numbers in hexadecimal, decimal, or binary format, choose an operation, and instantly see the result in all three formats. We also included a detailed binary breakdown, which shows the binary representation of your inputs and the result of the operation, making it a great tool for learning and debugging.

How to Use the Tool

Enter your first number in the "Input A" box and select its format (Hex, Decimal, or Binary).
Select a bitwise operation (like AND, OR, XOR, etc.) from the center panel.
Enter your second number in the "Input B" box and select its format. (The NOT operation only uses Input A).
The "Result" table will update automatically, showing the answer in all three formats.
The "Binary Breakdown" section provides a visual representation of the calculation on the individual bits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bitwise operations?

Bitwise operations are fundamental actions performed by a computer's processor. Instead of working with a number's decimal value, they manipulate its binary representation (its sequence of 0s and 1s). They are used in programming for tasks like setting or clearing specific flags, data compression, and encryption.

What do the main operations (AND, OR, XOR) do?

These operations compare the bits of two numbers at each position:

AND (&): The result bit is 1 only if both input bits are 1.
OR (|): The result bit is 1 if at least one of the input bits is 1.
XOR (^): The result bit is 1 only if the input bits are different (one is 0 and one is 1).

What are bit shifts used for?

Bit shifting moves all the bits in a number to the left or right. A Left Shift (<<) is a fast way to multiply a number by a power of 2. A Right Shift (>>) is a fast way to divide a number by a power of 2. They are often used in graphics and hardware programming for performance reasons.

Why does the calculator use 32 bits?

Most modern programming languages and computer systems perform bitwise operations on 32-bit or 64-bit integers. Our calculator uses 32 bits as it is a very common standard for these operations. This provides a clear and consistent representation of how the calculations work in practice.

How are negative numbers handled?

The calculator represents negative numbers using a method called "two's complement," which is the standard way computers handle them. In this system, the most significant bit (the far-left bit) indicates the sign (1 for negative). The binary breakdown will show you this representation for any negative decimal inputs.