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Decimal to Octal Converter

Convert decimal numbers to octal (base 8) instantly.

Code Examples

const decimal = 493;
const octal = decimal.toString(8); // "755"

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert decimal to octal?

Divide the decimal number by 8 repeatedly, noting the remainders. Read the remainders in reverse order. For example, 493 gives octal 755.

Why does octal matter for Unix file permissions?

chmod uses one octal digit per permission group: 4=read, 2=write, 1=execute. chmod 644 means owner read+write (6), group read (4), others read (4). Octal maps cleanly because each digit is exactly 3 permission bits.

What is the 0o prefix?

The 0o prefix marks an octal literal in modern languages like Python, JavaScript, and Rust: 0o755 equals decimal 493. Older C-style code uses a bare leading zero (0755), which is a common source of bugs.

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