# Binary vs Bit vs Byte – Learn the Difference

What is the difference between binary, bit, and byte? Let's find out.

## Binary​

Binary means two parts.

In other words, anything consisting of only two parts is called binary.

Here are some examples:

• True or false is a binary condition.
• On or off is a binary state.
• Female or male is a binary gender.
• 1 or 0 is a binary digit (bit).

## Bit​

A bit means binary digit (two parts digit).

In other words, a binary digit is the numeral 0 or 1.

Here are some examples:

• 10 is a binary numeral consisting of two bits (binary digits).
• 10111 is a binary numeral that has five bits (binary digits).
• 1MB has one million bits (binary digits).
• 1011 1010 consists of eight bits (byte).

## Byte​

A byte is a unit of bits (binary digits).

Typically, one byte equals eight bits (1 byte = 8 bits).

Here are some examples:

• 1011 1010 is a 1-byte numeral containing 8-bits (eight binary digits).
• 1101 1111 0110 0011 is a 2-bytes numeral consisting of 16 bits (sixteen binary digits).
• 0011 0010 0011 0110 0011 0111 is a 3-byte numeral containing 24 bits (twenty-four binary digits).

## Overview​

• A binary element is an item that has only two parts.
• A bit is a binary digit that can only be 0 or 1.
• A byte is a unit of bits typically in multiples of eight bits.
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