# Binary Game

> Learn binary by playing: flip bit cards to make a number, read and write binary, race a 60-second challenge and build streaks, across five levels from 4 to 8 bits.

- Page: https://linguaholic.com/games/binary-game/
- Type: free browser game, no sign-up, runs in the browser
- Publisher: Linguaholic (https://linguaholic.com/), made by Marcel Iseli
- Last updated: October 3, 2026
- Open it pre-filled: https://linguaholic.com/games/binary-game/?mode=read&level=8
  - `mode`: game mode: flip (flip the bits), read (read the binary), write (write the binary), learn (free play) (for example `read`)
  - `level`: number of bits 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; level1 to level5; or easy (4 bits), medium (6), hard (8) (for example `8`)
  - `timed`: 1 turns on the 60-second challenge (for example `1`)

## How to play the binary game

The **binary game** is a free number game for learning to read and write binary, the number system computers use. Each card is worth a power of two (1, 2, 4, 8 and so on), a card that is on counts as 1 and a card that is off counts as 0. Once you can add up the cards in your head, you can read any binary number. There are four ways to play:

- **Flip the bits** (decimal to binary): a number appears, and you tap cards to turn them on until they add up to it. As soon as the total is right, the next number comes up. The running total under the cards turns red when you have gone too high.
- **Read the binary** (binary to decimal): you see a binary number on the cards and type its value in ordinary numbers.
- **Write the binary** (decimal to binary, typed): you see a number and type it in 0s and 1s. Leading zeros and spaces are fine, so `0101` and `101` both count for 5.
- **Learn**: no target and no score. Flip any card and watch the binary, decimal and hex values change, or press +1 and −1 to count up and down and see how the bits roll over.

### Levels, streaks and the 60-second challenge

There are 5 levels, from 4 bits to 8 bits (a full byte). Each level adds one card and doubles the range of numbers:

| Level | Cards | Card values | Numbers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Level 1 | 4 bits | 8 4 2 1 | 1 to 15 |
| Level 2 | 5 bits | 16 8 4 2 1 | 1 to 31 |
| Level 3 | 6 bits | 32 16 8 4 2 1 | 1 to 63 |
| Level 4 | 7 bits | 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 | 1 to 127 |
| Level 5 | 8 bits | 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 | 1 to 255 |

In practice mode there is no clock: take your time, use **Hint** when you are stuck (it lights up the leftmost card that is wrong and says whether to turn it on or off) or **Skip** to see the answer. Your **streak** counts correct answers in a row, and your best streak for each mode and level is kept. Hints and skips reset the streak, so a long streak means you really know it.

Check **60-second challenge** and press Start to race the clock: solve as many numbers as you can before time runs out. Your **best score** for each mode and level is saved, so you can try to beat your high score later. Scores and streaks are stored only in your own browser, never on our server, and clearing your browser data resets them.

### Keyboard shortcuts

| Key | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| 1 to 8 | Flip the cards from the left (Flip the bits and Learn) |
| H | Show a hint (Flip the bits) |
| Esc | Turn all the cards off |
| + and − | Count up and down by one (Learn) |
| Enter | Check your typed answer, or start a timed round |

## How binary numbers work

In everyday numbers each place is worth ten times the place to its right: ones, tens, hundreds. Binary uses only the digits 0 and 1, and each place is worth **twice** the place to its right. Those place values are the numbers on the cards. For one byte (8 bits) they are:

| Bit position | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Power of 2 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Value | 128 | 64 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |

Each extra bit doubles how many numbers you can make. Four bits give the numbers 0 to 15, and eight bits give 0 to 255. A useful pattern: the biggest number with a given number of bits is always one less than the next card. All four cards on, `1111`, is 16 − 1 = 15.

## Frequently asked questions

**How do you play the binary game?**

In Flip the bits, tap cards worth 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 and 1 until they add up to the target number. In Read the binary you type the value of a binary number, and in Write the binary you type a number in 0s and 1s. Learn mode lets you flip cards freely.

**What are the levels?**

There are five: Level 1 uses 4 bits (numbers up to 15), then 5, 6 and 7 bits, and Level 5 uses a full byte of 8 bits (numbers up to 255). Each level adds one card and doubles the range.

**How does the 60-second challenge work?**

Check the 60-second challenge box and press Start, then solve as many numbers as you can before the clock runs out. Your best score for each mode and level is saved in your browser so you can try to beat it.

**What is a streak?**

Your streak counts correct answers in a row. A wrong answer, a hint or a skip resets it to zero, and your best streak for each mode and level is saved in practice mode.

**How do you convert binary to decimal?**

Add up the place values under every 1. For 10110101 that is 128 + 32 + 16 + 4 + 1 = 181. The game's cards show the place values so you can see the sum.

**How do you convert decimal to binary?**

Start with the biggest card that fits, take it away and repeat with what is left. For 77: 64 fits (13 left), then 8 (5 left), 4 (1 left) and 1, so 77 is 1001101.

**Is the binary game good for kids and classrooms?**

Yes. Level 1 uses only four cards, Learn mode shows place values and counting, and the game works on a projector, tablet or phone with no sign-up. The page has teaching tips for whole-class play.

**Can I play with a keyboard?**

Yes. Number keys 1 to 8 flip the cards from the left, H gives a hint, Esc clears the cards, + and − count in Learn mode, and Enter checks an answer or starts a timed round.

**Are my scores saved?**

Best scores and best streaks are saved in your own browser only. Nothing is sent to our server, and clearing your browser data resets them.

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