Binary Game — Learn Binary Numbers by Playing

How to play the binary game

• Flip the bits: a number appears — tap the cards to turn bits on until they add up to it. Each card is worth double the card to its right: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128.
• Read the binary: you see a binary number like 1101 — type its decimal value (13).
• Write the binary: you see a decimal number — type it in binary.

Choose a level — Easy (4 bits, 0–15), Medium (6 bits), Hard (8 bits, a full byte), or Expert (10 bits) — and play for practice or take the 60-second challenge to beat your best score.

How binary numbers work

Binary uses only two digits, 0 and 1. Each position is worth twice the position to its right, so a 1 means “add this card’s value” and a 0 means “skip it”:

Tips to get faster

• Start with the biggest card that fits. For 37: 32 fits (5 left), 16 and 8 don’t, 4 fits (1 left), then 1 → 100101.
• Odd numbers always end in 1, even numbers end in 0.
• Learn the powers of two: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024.
• All ones is one less than the next card: 1111 = 16 − 1 = 15.

A binary game for kids and classrooms

Flipping cards makes binary easy to see, which is why it’s a favorite way to teach binary numbers in computer science lessons. Put Flip the bits on a classroom screen and let students call out which cards to turn over, or run the 60-second challenge as a friendly competition.

More binary fun

Decode secret messages with the Binary Translator, check your answers with the Binary Converter, or work out sums with the Binary Calculator. For word games, try Hangman or the Categories Game.