Parity Bit Calculator

Generate parity bits for error detection or check binary messages for transmission errors

Parity Bit Operations

Enter the original data message without parity bit

Quick Examples

Even Parity Example:

Message: 1101 (3 ones)

Parity bit: 1 (makes 4 ones = even)

Result: 11011

Odd Parity Example:

Message: 1101 (3 ones)

Parity bit: 0 (keeps 3 ones = odd)

Result: 11010

Parity Types

Even Parity

  • • Total number of 1s must be even
  • • Add 0 if message has even 1s
  • • Add 1 if message has odd 1s
  • • Formula: (sum of 1s) mod 2

Odd Parity

  • • Total number of 1s must be odd
  • • Add 1 if message has even 1s
  • • Add 0 if message has odd 1s
  • • Formula: NOT((sum of 1s) mod 2)

Error Detection Limits

Detects single-bit errors

Detects odd number of bit errors

Cannot detect even number of bit errors

Cannot locate error position

Cannot correct errors

Usage Tips

Parity bits are typically added at the end

Choose parity type before transmission

Use for simple error detection in noisy channels

Consider Hamming codes for error correction

Understanding Parity Bits

What are Parity Bits?

A parity bit is an extra bit added to a binary message to enable error detection during data transmission. It provides a simple method to detect single-bit errors in digital communication systems.

How They Work

  • Count the number of 1s in the original message
  • Add a parity bit to make the total count even or odd
  • Receiver checks if parity matches expectations
  • Mismatch indicates transmission error

Mathematical Foundation

Parity = (∑ bits) mod 2

Sum of all 1s in message, modulo 2

Applications

  • Serial communication protocols
  • Memory systems (RAM error detection)
  • Network packet transmission
  • Storage devices and file systems

Step-by-Step Example

Even Parity Calculation

Step 1: Original message = 1101

Step 2: Count 1s = 3 (odd)

Step 3: Add 1 to make total even = 4

Step 4: Result = 11011

Check: Total 1s = 4 (even) ✓

Error Detection Process

Transmission Check

Sent: 11011 (even parity)

Received: 11001 (bit flip)

Count 1s: 3 (odd)

Expected: Even count

Result: Error detected! ⚠️