This post we will learn how to convert octal to decimal with Illustrated examples showing the conversion steps from a given octal number to an equivalent decimal number.
Octal to Decimal Converter
How to Convert Octal to Decimal
Step 1: We know that in the octal number system only 8 digits are used (from 0 to 7), so the first thing we do in converting a given number from octal to decimal is representing the octal number in powers of 8 or in other words we can say expressing the octal number with base as 8.
Step 2: In the second step, we evaluate all the power of 8 values such as 80 is 1, 81 is 8 etc., and write down each octal digit multiplied with the evaluated power of 8 values.
Step 3: We then perform the multiplication of all the weights or octal digits with its respective power of 8 values.
Step 4: The final step in converting octal to decimal is adding all the individual values obtained after multiplying each octal digit with its power of 8 values. The sum total gives the decimal equivalent of the given octal number.
Let us see the above conversion with the help of an example for better understanding.
Octal to Decimal examples
Example 1: Convert ( 237 )8 Octal to Decimal ( ? )10
= 2 3 7
↑ ↑
MSB LSB
Step 1: Write down the given octal number and express it as power of 8 starting from right to left for integer values as shown below:
= 2 x 82 + 3 x 81 + 7 x 80
Step 2: Evaluate the Power of 8 values for each octal digit as show below
Where,
- 80 = 1
- 81 = 8
- 82 = 64
= 2 x 64 + 3 x 8 + 7 x 1
Step 3: Multiply each power of 8 values with its respective octal digit as shown below:
Where,
- 7 x 1 = 7
- 3 x 8 = 24
- 2 x 64 = 128
Step 4: Add the values obtained after multiplication of each octal digit and the octal weights or power of 8 values.
= 128 + 24 + 7
The sum total gives the decimal equivalent[159] of the given octal number[237].
= 159
Therefore ( 2 3 7 )8 = ( 1 5 9 )10
Example 2: Convert ( 1000 )8= ( ? )10
= 1 0 0 0
↑ ↑
MSB LSB
= 1 x 83 + 0 x 82 + 0 x 81+ 0 x 80
= 1 x 512 + 0 x 64 + 0 x 8 + 0 x 1
= 512 + 0 + 0 + 0
= 512
Therefore ( 1 0 0 0 )8 = ( 5 1 2 )10
Example 3: Convert ( 7777 )8 octal to decimal ( ? )10
= 7 7 7 7
↑ ↑
MSB LSB
= 7 x 83 + 7 x 82 + 7 x 81+ 7 x 80
= 7 x 512 + 7 x 64 + 7 x 8 + 7 x 1
= 3584 + 448 + 56 + 7
= 4095
Therefore ( 7 7 7 7 )8 = ( 4 0 9 5 )10
Example 4: Convert ( 2 0 )8= ( ? )10
= 2 0
= 2 x 81+ 0 x 80
= 2 x 8 + 0 x 1
= 16 + 0
= 16
Therefore ( 2 0 )8 = ( 1 6 )10
Convert Fractional Octal to Decimal fraction
Converting octal to decimal with decimal point i.e when the given octal number has fractional part.
Solved examples of octal fractions to decimal fraction conversion
Example 1: Convert ( 2 1 . 2 1 )8 Octal to decimal with Decimal point ( ? )10
= 2 1 . 2 1
↑ ↑
MSD LSD
= 2 x 81 + 1 x 80 . 2 x 8-1 + 1 x 8-2
= 2 x 8 + 1 x 1 . 2 x ( 1 / 8 ) + 1 x ( 1 / 64 )
= 16 + 1 . ( 0. 2 5 ) + ( 0 . 0 1 5 6 2 5 )
= 17 + 0. 265625
= 17 . 265625
Therefore ( 2 1 . 2 1 )8 = ( 1 7 . 2 6 5 6 2 5 )10
Example 2: Convert ( 0.357 )8= ( ? )10
= 0 . 3 5 7
↑ ↑
MSD LSD
= 0 x 80 . 3 x 8-1 + 5 x 8-2 + 7 x 8-3
= 0 x 1 . 3 x ( 1 / 8 ) + 5 x ( 1 / 64 ) + 7 x ( 1 / 512 )
= 0 . (0. 375) + (0 . 0 7 8 1 2 5 ) + ( 0.013671875 )
= 0 . ( 0 . 466796875 )
= 0 . 466796875
Therefore ( 0 . 3 5 7)8 = ( 0 . 466796875 )10
Example 3: Convert octal fraction ( 100.01 )8 to Decimal ( ? )10
= 1 0 0 . 0 1
↑ ↑
MSD LSD
= 1 x 82 + 0 x 81 + 0 x 80 . 0 x 8-1 + 1 x 8-2
= 1 x 64 + 0 x 8 + 0 x 1 . 0 x ( 1 / 8 ) + 1 x ( 1 / 64 )
= 64 + 0 + 0 . ( 0 ) + ( 0. 015625 )
= 64 . ( 0. 015625 )
= 64 . 015625
Therefore ( 1 0 0 . 0 1 )8 = ( 64 . 0 1 5 6 2 5 )10