godelify

encode any file as a prime number

source file choose file no file chosen

zlib compression

prime

prime number

recovered source

godelify encodes any file as a prime number using Gödel numbering. The file is compressed with zlib, treated as a large integer, and a small suffix is appended until the result is prime. Strip the suffix, decompress, and you recover the original file exactly.

Inspired by Phil Carmody, who in 2001 encoded the banned DeCSS DVD-decryption program as a 1401-digit prime — possessing a number cannot be illegal. Seth Schoen went further and set the source code to music. godelify generalises the prime idea to any file.

made with ♥ by Animesh Chouhan