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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tech-n-bits-values

How many different values can 8 bits represent?

256 values, because n bits give 2 to the n patterns.

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  1. 256 ✔
  2. 255
  3. 128

Why: Each extra bit doubles the number of patterns, so n bits give 2 to the n values. Eight bits give 256 patterns, which as an unsigned number means 0 to 255. People often pick 255 because they forget zero counts too.

Huh, didn't know that: An unsigned 8-bit integer uses its 256 patterns for the values 0 through 255.

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There are 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't.
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References

Answer: 256. Each extra bit doubles the number of patterns, so n bits give 2 to the n values. Eight bits give 256 patterns, which as an unsigned number means 0 to 255. People often pick 255 because they forget zero counts too.

  1. OpenStax Introduction to Computer Science 5.3: Machine-Level Information Representation openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/5-3-machine-level-information-representation
    In general n bits can present 2 n values, which is the range from 0 to 2 n
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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