Decimal to Octal Conversion with an Example

This entire post will be devoted to the topic of "converting from decimal to octal." In other words, by reading this article, you will gain an understanding of the process that is used to convert a number from the decimal number system to the octal number system equivalent of that number. But before we get started, I believe it is important for us to first grasp these two numerical values. Let's begin by defining these two different number systems.

Decimal to Octal Steps and Example

In order to convert a number from decimal to octal, we must divide the decimal number by 8, as this is the base of the octal number system. Let's look at an example of this so that we can get a better grasp on it.

(204)10 = ( ? )8.

Converting the decimal representation of the number 204 to the octal system is required, as demonstrated by the preceding illustration.

decimal to octal conversion

Look at the above figure carefully. We first divided the number 204 by 8, yielding 25 as a result and 4 as a remainder; now divide 25 by 8. Continue dividing until the number becomes less than the number through which you are dividing, which is 8 here.

Always write the remainder on the right side of the result. After dividing the number or after getting a remainder less than 8, stop dividing and write the remainder from last to first. Here we have 314 as the result, or octal value, of the same number given in decimal, that is, 204. Therefore, (204)10 = (314)8.

Another Example of Decimal to Octal

Let me give another example by converting the decimal number 843 into its octal equivalent.

843 % 8     (which results in 105 as the quotient and 3 as the remainder)


105 % 8     (which gives a quotient of 13 and a remainder of 1)


13 % 8      (gives a quotient of 1 and a remainder of 5)

Include the last quotient and write all the remainder digits from the last to the first, yielding 1513. As a result, (843)10 = (1513)8.

Programs Created on Decimal to Octal Conversion

Computer Fundamentals Quiz


« Previous Tutorial Next Tutorial »