Binary code tattoo generator: turn a word into 0s and 1s

A binary code tattoo writes a word the way a computer stores it: each letter becomes 8 bits, a group of eight 0s and 1s. Type yours in the generator and it converts as you type: MOM is 01001101 01001111 01001101. Capitals and lowercase give different codes, so pick one. Then send the exact code to TatuaIA to design it.

Design your binary code

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In binary code

01001101 01001111 01001101

Each group of 8 digits is one letter (ASCII). A space between words is a byte too: 00100000.

Turn this into a tattoo design →

TatuaIA opens with the exact code already written. Your first designs are free.

Works in your browser: nothing you type is sent or saved.

How to create a binary code tattoo

1
Type your word
Write it in the generator above, in capitals or lowercase: the code changes with the case. Short words work best, because each letter adds eight digits.
2
Send the exact code
Tap "Turn this into a tattoo design": TatuaIA opens with the code already written in quotes. Add a heart, a line or a frame if you like.
3
Check every digit
Compare the design with the code from the generator, group by group. If one digit is off, tap Edit or Try again, then download the design and show it to your artist.

How words become binary

Computers store each letter as a number from the ASCII table, defined in RFC 20, and that number written in base 2 is the binary code. ASCII uses 7 bits; binary translators, this one included, show each character as 8 bits with a leading 0, so every letter is a neat block of eight. Capital M is 77, or 01001101; lowercase m is 109, or 01101101. Accented letters and emojis aren't in basic ASCII, so the generator writes accents without them and leaves emojis out.

MOM: 01001101 01001111 01001101
mom: 01101101 01101111 01101101
LOVE: 01001100 01001111 01010110 01000101
DAD: 01000100 01000001 01000100
Hi: 01001000 01101001

Layout and placement

A three- or four-letter word gives 24 to 32 digits: one line along the inner forearm, the collarbone or the spine, or two to four lines stacked on the wrist. Ask your artist to keep the same spacing between groups so each letter stays readable. Want something shorter? Try the Morse code tattoo generator or a date with the Roman numeral tattoo generator.

Frequently asked questions

How do you write MOM and LOVE in binary?

In capitals, MOM is 01001101 01001111 01001101 and LOVE is 01001100 01001111 01010110 01000101. In lowercase, mom is 01101101 01101111 01101101.

Why do capitals and lowercase give different codes?

Because ASCII gives them different numbers: A is 65 (01000001) and a is 97 (01100001). Both are correct; choose the one you want and keep it for the whole word.

Does the generator translate the word for me?

Yes: it converts letters, digits, spaces and common punctuation to 8-bit ASCII as you type, in your browser. Accented letters are written without the accent and characters outside basic ASCII, like emojis, are left out and flagged. TatuaIA then draws the code it receives, so check every digit on the design before getting tattooed.

Is the design unique?

Yes: TatuaIA doesn't pull designs from a catalog, it draws each one from scratch based on your description. Even if you repeat the same sentence you get a different version every time, and with Edit you can make it even more yours.

How much does it cost?

With TatuaIA your first designs are free (with a small watermark). To create without limits, edit and download without the watermark there's TatuaIA Pro, a subscription you'll see priced for your country in the app and can cancel anytime. The price of the actual tattoo is set by the studio: it depends on size, placement and hours of work.

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Binary code tattoo generator: turn a word into 0s and 1s