Math

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Bit Shift Calculator.

Shift an unsigned integer left and right by a chosen count.

On-device calculationNo signup
01

Set your values

Results update as you type.

Left shift: 48

Left shift

0.000000
Right shift: 3

Right shift

0.000000

Results update automatically as you type.

Use Cases

Understanding bitwise operations

Use this calculator to visualize how bit shifts affect an unsigned integer, helping you learn or teach bitwise manipulation in programming or digital logic.

Example: Shift 5 (binary 101) left by 2 to get 20 (binary 10100).

Quick multiplication or division by powers of two

When working with unsigned integers, left shifts can quickly multiply by powers of two, and right shifts can divide, useful in performance-sensitive code or algorithm design.

Example: Shift 100 right by 3 to get 12 (since 100 / 8 = 12.5, truncated).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a left shift do to an unsigned integer?
A left shift moves all bits to the left by the specified count, filling the rightmost bits with zeros. This effectively multiplies the value by 2 raised to the shift count, as long as no bits overflow the integer's bit width.
What does a right shift do to an unsigned integer?
A right shift moves all bits to the right by the specified count, discarding the bits that fall off the right end and filling the leftmost bits with zeros. This effectively divides the value by 2 raised to the shift count, rounding down to the nearest integer.
What is the maximum shift count I can use?
The calculator accepts any non-negative integer shift count. However, shifting by more than the bit width of the integer (e.g., 32 or 64 bits) will result in zero for left shifts and zero for right shifts, as all bits are shifted out.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

  • Enter the unsigned value in decimal; the calculator will show the result in decimal, binary, and hexadecimal.
  • Use a shift count of 1 to see the effect of doubling or halving the value.
  • For left shifts, be aware of overflow: if the shifted result exceeds the maximum value for the integer size, bits will be lost.
  • For right shifts, the result is always rounded down (floor division) because bits are discarded.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using a negative shift count; the calculator expects a non-negative integer.
  • Assuming a right shift rounds to the nearest integer; it always truncates toward zero.
  • Forgetting that left shifts can overflow if the value is large; the result may wrap around depending on the integer size.

Last updated: August 13, 2026