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BIN2DEC

BIN2DEC function in Excel - binary to decimal conversion examples
Function categoryEngineering functions
VolatilityNon-volatile
Similar functionsDEC2BIN, DEC2HEX, HEX2DEC

What does this function do?

This function converts a binary number to decimal number system.

Syntax

=BIN2DEC(binary_number)

Binary numbers are limited to ten characters (bits).

  • binary_number — required. The binary number you want to convert to decimal

Usage examples

Convert binary 1010 to decimal:

=BIN2DEC("1010")

Result: 10

Convert binary 1111 to decimal:

=BIN2DEC("1111")

Result: 15

Convert binary 1000000000 (10 bits) to decimal:

=BIN2DEC("1000000000")

Result: 512

Features

  • Supports binary numbers up to 10 bits (characters)
  • If the binary number is negative, it must be in two’s complement notation
  • Leading zeros are optional and don’t affect the result
  • If binary_number is not a valid binary number, returns the #NUM! error
  • If binary_number contains more than 10 characters, returns the #NUM! error
  • The function treats the binary number as signed if it’s 10 bits long

Binary number ranges

  • Positive numbers: 0 to 511 (binary 0 to 111111111)
  • Negative numbers: -512 to -1 (using two’s complement notation)
  • Maximum binary input: 10 bits (1111111111 represents -1 in two’s complement)

Practical applications

  • Digital electronics and computer engineering calculations
  • Network subnet mask calculations
  • Binary-coded decimal (BCD) conversions
  • Computer science education and programming
  • Hardware register value interpretations

Other Engineering functions in Excel

DELTA, DEC2BIN, DEC2HEX, GESTEP, CONVERT, HEX2DEC, DEC2OCT, OCT2DEC, BIN2HEX, HEX2BIN

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