Convert PETSCII to ASCII
Decode Commodore PETSCII codes back into ASCII characters. Runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
0 chars · 0 lines
Output
The result appears here as you type.
How to use Convert PETSCII to ASCII
- 1. Paste your PETSCII codes. Paste space separated PETSCII code values, such as 193, into the input pane, using the decimal codes as stored on the original Commodore machine.
- 2. See each code remapped. Each value is looked up in the Commodore PETSCII table, which reorders letters and graphics characters differently from standard ASCII, and mapped to the matching ASCII character.
- 3. Copy the decoded text. Copy the resulting ASCII text once every code has been remapped. Paste a new sequence of PETSCII codes to decode another value.
When to use Convert PETSCII to ASCII
Convert PETSCII to ASCII decodes character codes from Commodore's PETSCII encoding, the character set used on the C64, VIC-20 and other Commodore machines, into standard ASCII text. PETSCII assigns letters and graphics symbols to different codes than ASCII, so old BASIC listings and disk images need a real lookup table to read correctly.
- Reading a Commodore 64 program listing. You extracted text data from a C64 disk image or PRG file and it is still encoded in PETSCII rather than ASCII. Decoding the byte values here reveals the actual BASIC code or text content.
- Restoring old BBS or demo scene text. A Commodore era bulletin board message or demo scene text file used PETSCII codes for its content. Converting the codes lets you read it in a modern editor without a PETSCII font.
- Porting a retro game's string table. You're reverse engineering or porting a Commodore 64 game and its string table stores dialogue as PETSCII bytes. Decoding a sample string confirms the text before writing a full extraction script.
- Comparing PETSCII to ASCII for a retro project. You're building a PETSCII emulator or retro themed tool and need to verify how specific codes map to ASCII letters. Testing known values here confirms your mapping table is correct.
Examples
Letter
Input
193
Output
A
Word
Input
200 73
Output
Hi
About the Convert PETSCII to ASCII tool
Convert PETSCII to ASCII does its work locally, right in the browser. Decode Commodore PETSCII codes back into ASCII characters. There is no upload step, no queue and no account, and your data never travels over the network.
It belongs to the ASCII Tools collection on EditSafely, a set of 81 small, focused ASCII utilities that share the same instant, private workspace.
There is nothing to configure. Provide the input and the result appears on its own. 2 worked examples further down the page show exactly what the tool produces for real inputs.
Running locally also makes the tool fast and dependable: results appear as you type or drop a file, there is no server outage that can take it down mid-task, and confidential data can be processed without a second thought.
Frequently asked questions
Does Convert PETSCII to ASCII cost anything?
Yes, it is completely free. All 2,658 tools on EditSafely work without an account, a subscription or usage limits.
Is it safe to paste sensitive or confidential data?
No data leaves your device. The whole tool is JavaScript that runs inside your browser tab, so there is no upload, no server-side processing and no log of what you did. If you disconnect from the internet after the page loads, it keeps working.
How much text can I process at once?
There is no fixed limit. Because the work happens on your own device rather than on a shared server, the practical ceiling is your machine's memory, which comfortably handles inputs far larger than typical online tools allow.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
Nothing to install and no account needed. Open the page in any up-to-date browser, including on a phone or tablet, and the tool is ready.
How do I use the result?
The output panel has a one-click copy button, and you can keep refining the input while you work; the result updates in place as you type.