Emacs provides a method for working out numbers in two’s complement form
`M-x calc` Turn on calc mode
`O d2` Turns on two's complement binary
`b w 8` Sets the word length to 8 bits
`d z` Displays leading zeroes
Now you can enter numbers. Don’t forget to use underscore for negative numbers
`_3 (-3) gives 2##11111101`
You can press `y` to yank the result back into the last buffer.
## Quick Conversions
if you want to quickly convert between binary, denary and hex you can use quick calc mode: To convert 17 from Denary to Binary
`C-x * q ` Enter quick calc mode
`17` Hit enter
```
Result: 17 => 17 (16#11, 8#21, 2#10001, " ")
```
To convert 1100 from Binary to Denary (or Hex)
`C-x * q` Enter quick calc mode
`2#1100` Enter in minibuffer. Use `16#` to enter a Hex number
```
Result: 12 => 12 (16#C, 8#14, 2#1100, " ")
```
## See Also
- [[Calc Mode 0 Basics]]
- [[Calc Mode 1 Binary Numbers]]