Base 36 to Decimal (Base 10) Converter
Convert base 36 numbers to decimal.
73 (base 36) = 255 (base 10)
Digits in base 36: 0 to 9 and A to Z. Digits in base 10: 0 to 9.
How to convert Base 36 to Decimal
Every positional number system works the same way: a digit is worth its own value times the base raised to the power of its position. In base 36 the place values, from the right, are 360 = 1, 361 = 36, 362 = 1296 and so on.
To get from base 36 to decimal, multiply each digit by 36 raised to the power of its position, counting from 0 on the right, and add the results.
The method
decimal value = each digit × its place value, all added upplace values in base 36: 1, 36, 1296, 46656, 1679616, and so ondigits in base 36: 0 to 9 and A to Zdigits in base 10: 0 to 9
Worked example 1: 19 from base 36 to decimal
19 (base 36) = 1 × 361 + 9 × 360= 36 + 9= 4519 (base 36) = 45 (base 10)
Letters stand for values from 10 up: A = 10, B = 11, C = 12 and so on. Digits that are 0 add nothing to the sum, so they are left out of the expansion.
Worked example 2: 73 from base 36 to decimal
73 (base 36) = 7 × 361 + 3 × 360= 252 + 3= 25573 (base 36) = 255 (base 10)
Worked example 3: RS from base 36 to decimal
RS (base 36) = 27 × 361 + 28 × 360= 972 + 28= 1,000RS (base 36) = 1000 (base 10)
Need the other direction? Open the Decimal to Base 36 converter.
Base 36 to Decimal examples
The decimal number 255 is written 73 in base 36 and 255 in decimal.
| Base 36 | Decimal |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 8 | 8 |
| A | 10 |
| F | 15 |
| G | 16 |
| W | 32 |
| 1S | 64 |
| 2S | 100 |
| 73 | 255 |
| RS | 1000 |
Where Base 36 to Decimal comes up
Base 36 uses 0 to 9 and A to Z, the largest base you can write with digits and letters alone. Short IDs and URL slugs often use it, and JavaScript number.toString(36) and parseInt(text, 36) work in base 36.
Decimal is the base 10 system everyone learns first, with the digits 0 to 9. It is the form people read: prices, measurements, ages and IDs. It is also the base we calculate in by hand, which is why the worked steps on this page pass through decimal.
Going to a smaller base spreads the same value over more digits, so the result is longer. The number 255 needs 2 digits in base 36 and 3 in decimal.
Base 36 to Decimal FAQ
How do I convert base 36 to decimal?
Multiply each base 36 digit by 36 raised to the power of its position, counting from 0 on the right, then add everything up.
Which digits does base 36 use?
Base 36 uses the digits 0 to 9 and A to Z. Letters are not case sensitive on this converter, and results are shown in capitals.
Will the decimal number be longer or shorter?
Longer. Going to a smaller base spreads the same value over more digits, so the result is longer. Roughly 1.56 decimal digits for every base 36 digit. The number 255 needs 2 digits in base 36 and 3 in decimal.
What is 73 in decimal?
73 in base 36 is 255 in decimal. Both are the decimal number 255.
Can I convert negative numbers or fractions?
The converter handles whole numbers, and a leading minus sign works for negatives. Fractions use a different method, where you repeatedly multiply the fractional part by the new base, and they are not supported here.