BIN2DEC

What does the BIN2DEC function do?

This function converts a binary number to decimal number system.

BIN2DEC function syntax

=BIN2DEC(binary_number)

Binary numbers are limited to ten characters (bits).

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

BIN2DEC formula 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. With 10 bits, the leftmost bit is the sign, so 1000000000 is the smallest negative number, not 512. The largest positive value is 0111111111 = 511.

BIN2DEC features and limitations

• 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

BIN2DEC: 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 examples of BIN2DEC

• 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

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