Last updated on August 20, 2025
91 in binary is written as 1011011 because the binary system uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent numbers. This number system is used widely in computer systems. In this topic, we are going to learn about converting 91 to binary.
The process of converting 91 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 91 by 2. Here, it is getting divided by 2 because the binary number system uses only 2 digits (0 and 1). The quotient becomes the dividend in the next step, and the process continues until the quotient becomes 0.
This is a commonly used method to convert 91 to binary. In the last step, the remainder is noted down bottom side up, and that becomes the converted value.
For example, the remainders noted down after dividing 91 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient is 1011011. Remember, the remainders here have been written upside down.
In the table shown below, the first column shows the binary digits (1 and 0) as 1011011.
The second column represents the place values of each digit, and the third column is the value calculation, where the binary digits are multiplied by their corresponding place values.
The results of the third column can be added to cross-check if 1011011 in binary is indeed 91 in the decimal number system.
91 can be converted easily from decimal to binary. The methods mentioned below will help us convert the number. Let’s see how it is done.
Expansion Method: Let us see the step-by-step process of converting 91 using the expansion method.
Step 1 - Figure out the place values: In the binary system, each place value is a power of 2. Therefore, in the first step, we will ascertain the powers of 2.
20 = 1
21 = 2
22 = 4
23 = 8
24 = 16
25 = 32
26 = 64
27 = 128
Since 128 is greater than 91, we stop at 26 = 64.
Step 2 - Identify the largest power of 2: In the previous step, we stopped at 26 = 64. This is because, in this step, we have to identify the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to the given number, 91. Since 26 is the number we are looking for, write 1 in the 26 place. Now the value of 26, which is 64, is subtracted from 91. 91 - 64 = 27.
Step 3 - Identify the next largest power of 2: In this step, we need to find the largest power of 2 that fits into the result of the previous step, 27. So, the next largest power of 2 is 24 = 16. Now, we have to write 1 in the 24 place. And then subtract 16 from 27. 27 - 16 = 11.
Step 4 - Identify the next largest power of 2: Now, we need the largest power of 2 that fits into 11. The next largest power of 2 is 23 = 8. Write 1 in the 23 place. Subtract 8 from 11. 11 - 8 = 3.
Step 5 - Identify the next largest power of 2: Now, we find the largest power of 2 that fits into 3. The next largest power of 2 is 21 = 2. Write 1 in the 21 place. Subtract 2 from 3. 3 - 2 = 1.
Step 6 - Since 1 is a power of 2 itself (20), write 1 in the 20 place. Now, by substituting the values, we get, 1 in the 26 place 0 in the 25 place 1 in the 24 place 1 in the 23 place 0 in the 22 place 1 in the 21 place 1 in the 20 place
Step 7 - Write the values in reverse order: We now write the numbers upside down to represent 91 in binary. Therefore, 1011011 is 91 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 91 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 91 by 2. 91 / 2 = 45. Here, 45 is the quotient and 1 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (45) by 2. 45 / 2 = 22. Here, the quotient is 22 and the remainder is 1.
Step 3 - Divide the previous quotient (22) by 2. 22 / 2 = 11. Here, the quotient is 11 and the remainder is 0.
Step 4 - Divide the previous quotient (11) by 2. 11 / 2 = 5. Here, the quotient is 5 and the remainder is 1.
Step 5 - Divide the previous quotient (5) by 2. 5 / 2 = 2. Here, the quotient is 2 and the remainder is 1.
Step 6 - Divide the previous quotient (2) by 2. 2 / 2 = 1. Here, the quotient is 1 and the remainder is 0.
Step 7 - Divide the previous quotient (1) by 2. 1 / 2 = 0. Here, the remainder is 1. And we stop the division here because the quotient is 0.
Step 8 - Write down the remainders from bottom to top. Therefore, 91 (decimal) = 1011011 (binary).
There are certain rules to follow when converting any number to binary. Some of them are mentioned below:
This is one of the most commonly used rules to convert any number to binary. The place value method is the same as the expansion method, where we need to find the largest power of 2. Let’s see a brief step-by-step explanation to understand the first rule. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 91. Since the answer is 26, write 1 next to this power of 2. Subtract the value (64) from 91. So, 91 - 64 = 27. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 27. The answer is 24. So, write 1 next to this power. Now, 27 - 16 = 11. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 11. The answer is 23. So, write 1 next to this power. Now, 11 - 8 = 3. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 3. The answer is 21. So, write 1 next to this power. Now, 3 - 2 = 1. Since 1 is a power of 2 (20), we write 1 next to this power. Now, we can write 0s next to unused powers (25 and 22). Final conversion will be 1011011.
The division by 2 method is the same as the grouping method. A brief step-by-step explanation is given below for better understanding. First, 91 is divided by 2 to get 45 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Now, 45 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 22 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Dividing 22 by 2, we get 11 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Dividing 11 by 2, we get 5 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Dividing 5 by 2, we get 2 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Dividing 2 by 2, we get 1 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Divide 1 by 2 to get 1 as the remainder and 0 as the quotient. We stop the division once the quotient becomes 0. Now, we write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 91, 1011011.
This rule also involves breaking the number into powers of 2. Identify the powers of 2 and write them down in decreasing order, i.e., 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, and 20. Find the largest power that fits into 91. Repeat the process and allocate 1s and 0s to the suitable powers of 2. Combine the digits (0 and 1) to get the binary result.
The limitation of the binary system is that only 0s and 1s can be used to represent numbers. The system doesn’t use any other digits other than 0 and 1. This is a base 2 number system, where the binary places represent powers of 2. So, every digit is either a 0 or a 1. To convert 91, we use 0s for 25 and 22 and 1s for 26, 24, 23, 21, and 20.
Learning a few tips and tricks is a great way to solve any mathematical problems easily. Let us take a look at some tips and tricks for binary numbers up to 91.
Memorize to speed up conversions: We can memorize the binary forms for specific numbers.
Recognize the patterns: There is a peculiar pattern when converting numbers from decimal to binary. 1 → 1 1 + 1 = 2 → 10 2 + 2 = 4 → 100 4 + 4 = 8 → 1000 8 + 8 = 16 → 10000 16 + 16 = 32 → 100000…and so on. This is also called the double and add rule.
Even and odd rule: Whenever a number is even, its binary form will end in 0. For example, 92 is even, and its binary form is 1011100. Here, the binary of 92 ends in 0. If the number is odd, then its binary equivalent will end in 1. For example, the binary of 91 (an odd number) is 1011011. As you can see, the last digit here is 1.
Cross-verify the answers: Once the conversion is done, we can cross-verify the answers by converting the number back to the decimal form. This will eliminate any unforeseen errors in conversion.
Practice by using tables: Writing the decimal numbers and their binary equivalents on a table will help us remember the conversions.
Here, let us take a look at some of the most commonly made mistakes while converting numbers to binary.
Convert 91 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
1011011
26 is the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to 91.
So place 1 next to 26.
Subtracting 64 from 91, we get 27.
So the next largest power would be 24.
So place another 1 next to 24.
Subtracting 16 from 27, we get 11.
The next largest power would be 23.
So place another 1 next to 23.
Subtracting 8 from 11, we get 3.
The next largest power would be 21.
So place another 1 next to 21.
Subtracting 2 from 3, we get 1.
Since 1 is a power of 2 (20), place 1 next to it.
Now, we just place 0s in the remaining powers of 2, which are 25 and 22.
By using this method, we can find the binary form of 91.
Convert 91 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
1011011
Divide 91 by 2.
In the next step, the quotient becomes the new dividend.
Continue the process until the quotient becomes 0.
Now, write the remainders upside down to get the final result.
Convert 91 to binary using the representation method.
1011011
Break the number 91 into powers of 2 and find the largest powers of 2.
We get 26.
So 1 is placed next to 26.
Next, 91 - 64 = 27.
Now, the largest power of 2 is 24.
Once again, 1 is placed next to 24.
Next, 27 - 16 = 11.
Now, the largest power of 2 is 23.
Once again, 1 is placed next to 23.
Next, 11 - 8 = 3.
Now, the largest power of 2 is 21.
Once again, 1 is placed next to 21.
Next, 3 - 2 = 1.
Since 1 is a power of 2 (20), place 1 next to it.
After getting 0, fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2.
By following this method, we get the binary value of 91 as 1011011.
How is 91 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 91 Octal - 133 Binary - 1011011
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system.
In this system, 91 is written as 91 only.
We have already seen how 91 is written as 1011011 in binary.
So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8.
To convert 91 to octal, we need to divide 91 by 8.
So 91 / 8 = 11 with 3 as the remainder.
In the next step, divide the quotient from the previous step (11) by 8.
So 11 / 8 = 1 with 3 as the remainder.
The division process stops here because the quotient is now 0.
Here, 3, 3, and 1 are the remainders, and they have to be written in reverse order.
So, 133 is the octal equivalent of 91.
Express 91 - 5 in binary.
101100
91 - 5 = 86 So, we need to write 86 in binary.
Start by dividing 86 by 2.
We get 43 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Next, divide 43 by 2.
Now we get 21 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Divide 21 by 2 to get 10 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Divide 10 by 2 to get 5 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Divide 5 by 2 to get 2 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Divide 2 by 2 to get 1 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Divide 1 by 2 to get 0 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Now write the remainders from bottom to top to get 101100 (binary of 86).
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.