Convert between bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and binary storage units instantly
Enter a value and unit to see conversions to all other storage formats. Our calculator handles both decimal (KB, MB, GB) and binary (KiB, MiB, GiB) storage units with precision.
Real-time conversions appear as you type. Values are calculated to 6 decimal places for maximum accuracy.
| Unit Type | Value | Full Name |
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Convert multiple values at once or generate conversion tables for ranges. Perfect for power users and technical applications.
Understand storage sizes with real-world examples. See how many photos, songs, videos, and files fit in different storage capacities.
Converting between storage units has never been easier. Follow these simple steps to get accurate conversions between any storage formats.
Our Formula: We use internationally standardized conversion factors defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).
Precision Note: Our calculator uses exact conversion factors and displays results to 6 decimal places to ensure maximum accuracy for both technical and general applications.
The results table shows conversions in two distinct categories that serve different purposes in computing and data storage.
| Unit Type | Base | 1 KB/KiB equals | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal (SI) KB, MB, GB, TB, PB |
Base 1000 | 1,000 bytes | Marketing, storage devices, networking |
| Binary (IEC) KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB, PiB |
Base 1024 | 1,024 bytes | Operating systems, memory, technical specs |
When you buy a "1 TB" hard drive, you're getting 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. However, your operating system will show approximately 931 GB available because it calculates using binary units (1 TiB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes).
Data storage measurement can seem confusing with terms like KB, KiB, MB, and MiB floating around. These seemingly similar units can create real confusion in practical applications. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about data storage units.
Everything in data storage starts with the byte, which consists of 8 bits. A bit is the smallest unit of data in computing, representing either a 0 or 1. When we combine 8 bits, we get 1 byte, which can represent a single character like the letter 'A' or the number '7'.
From this foundation, we build larger units to measure bigger amounts of data. However, this is where things get interesting – and sometimes confusing.
The confusion in storage units stems from two competing systems that developed for different purposes:
The decimal system uses powers of 1000, following the same pattern as the metric system. This system was adopted by storage manufacturers and networking standards:
The binary system uses powers of 1024 (which is 2^10), aligning with how computer memory and processors naturally work:
The difference between these systems becomes more pronounced as numbers get larger. Here's what this means in practical terms:
Storage Device Shopping: When you buy a 1TB external drive, the manufacturer means 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. However, when you connect it to your computer, your operating system might show it as 931 GB available space because it's calculating using binary units.
Network Speeds: Internet service providers typically advertise speeds in decimal units. A 100 Mbps connection means 100 million bits per second, not 100 × 1,048,576 bits per second.
Memory and RAM: Computer memory is almost always specified in binary units. When you see 8GB of RAM, it's actually 8 GiB, which equals about 8.59 GB in decimal terms.
In the early days of computing, when memory was measured in kilobytes, the difference between 1000 and 1024 seemed negligible. Programmers and engineers often used "kilo" to mean 1024 because it was close enough and aligned with binary architecture.
As storage capacities grew exponentially, this approximation created significant discrepancies. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standardized the binary prefixes (kibi, mebi, gibi) in 1998 to resolve this confusion, but adoption has been inconsistent across the industry.
Understanding when to use each system can save you from confusion and potential mistakes:
Based on common scenarios when helping people understand storage units, here are some practical guidelines:
Always Check the Context: When someone mentions storage size, ask whether they mean decimal or binary units, especially for technical projects.
Use Conversion Tools: Rather than doing mental math, use reliable conversion calculators like the one on this page to ensure accuracy.
Understand Your Operating System: Windows shows storage in decimal units in some contexts and binary in others. macOS primarily uses decimal units. Linux systems vary by distribution and configuration.
Account for Overhead: Remember that formatted storage devices always show less available space due to file system overhead, regardless of which unit system you use.
As we move toward even larger storage capacities with petabytes and exabytes becoming common, the standardization of units becomes more critical. Cloud storage providers are increasingly consistent in using decimal units, while enterprise storage systems often stick to binary units for technical precision.
The key is understanding your context and being explicit about which system you're using when communicating with others about storage requirements.
Here are some everyday situations where unit conversion matters:
Photo and Video Storage: A 4K video file might be 500 MB (decimal), but your camera's memory card capacity is often specified in binary units. Understanding both helps you estimate how many files you can store.
Cloud Storage Plans: When choosing between a 100 GB cloud plan and your available local storage, remember that the cloud provider likely means decimal GB while your computer shows binary GB.
Database Management: Database sizes are often reported in binary units, but backup storage might be priced in decimal units. Always convert to ensure accurate capacity planning.
KB (kilobyte) uses the decimal system where 1 KB = 1,000 bytes, while KiB (kibibyte) uses the binary system where 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes. This difference becomes more significant with larger units. For example, 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes, but 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes.
Manufacturers use decimal units (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) while operating systems often use binary units (1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes), creating apparent discrepancies in storage capacity. Additionally, file system overhead reduces available space further.
Use decimal units (KB, MB, GB) for marketing and general communication, and binary units (KiB, MiB, GiB) for technical specifications and system administration where precision matters. When in doubt, specify which system you're using.
Our converter uses exact conversion factors defined by international standards and displays results to 6 decimal places. It follows IEC 80000-13 standards for binary prefixes and SI standards for decimal prefixes, ensuring maximum accuracy.
Yes, our calculator handles values from bytes up to petabytes and pebibytes. It uses JavaScript's Number type which can accurately handle values up to about 15-17 significant digits, suitable for most practical storage calculations.
While our calculator includes petabytes (PB) and pebibytes (PiB), larger units exist including exabytes (EB), zettabytes (ZB), and yottabytes (YB). However, these larger units are rarely used in practical applications outside of data center and scientific computing contexts.
Network speeds are typically measured in bits per second (bps) using decimal prefixes. Remember that 1 byte = 8 bits, so a 100 Mbps connection can transfer about 12.5 MB/s (megabytes per second) under ideal conditions.
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Educational and Informational Use: This data storage converter is provided for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy using internationally recognized conversion standards, all calculations should be independently verified for critical applications.
Accuracy and Reliability: The conversion factors used in this calculator are based on established standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International System of Units (SI). However, ConversionCalculators.net makes no warranties or guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the results.
Professional Advice: This tool is not a substitute for professional technical consultation. For critical applications involving data storage planning, system specifications, or commercial decisions, please consult with qualified professionals or verify calculations independently.
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