Data Storage Unit Converter

Compare decimal storage labels and binary memory sizes, including bits, bytes, kB, MB, GB, TB, KiB, MiB and GiB. Explicit prefix choices prevent the common 1,000-versus-1,024 mix-up.

Enter your values in the calculator fields to get an instant result.

Calculator guide

Compare decimal storage labels and binary memory sizes, including bits, bytes, kB, MB, GB, TB, KiB, MiB and GiB. Explicit prefix choices prevent the common 1,000-versus-1,024 mix-up.

Formula or method

Output = input × source size factor ÷ destination size factor, through bytes. One byte is 8 bits; kB = 1,000 B, MB = 1,000,000 B, GB = 1,000,000,000 B, TB = 10¹² B. KiB = 1,024 B, MiB = 1,048,576 B and GiB = 1,073,741,824 B.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the Value to convert. The interface starts with 1; replace it with your measurement or quantity. Blank, nonnumeric and out-of-range values cannot produce a result.
  2. Select From unit for the source unit. Match the complete label, including square/cubic units, decimal/binary prefixes or the gallon system when applicable.
  3. Select To unit for the destination unit, then read Converted value with its unit label.
  4. Try the worked example with its stated source and destination units. Results show at most eight fractional digits; very small nonzero values use scientific notation. Check the page limitations before interpreting the output.

Worked example

Select gibibyte (GiB) → megabyte (MB), then enter 1. Compute 1,073,741,824 ÷ 1,000,000 = 1,073.741824 MB. Separately, 1 kB is 1,000 B, while 1 KiB is 1,024 B.

Understanding the result

Both outputs describe the same nominal data quantity. A different numerical size after switching GB to GiB does not by itself indicate lost storage.

Limitations and assumptions

  • Use a nonnegative size. Fractional bits or bytes are allowed for arithmetic comparisons, not as claims about separately addressable storage.
  • No usable capacity, file-system overhead, compression ratio or transfer time is estimated. Capital B means byte; lowercase b means bit.

Frequently asked questions

Is KB unambiguous?

No. Choose the explicit kB decimal or KiB binary unit used by the interface.

How many bits are in a byte?

Eight. Multiply bytes by 8 to get bits.

Does this explain all missing disk space?

No. Prefix differences are only one cause; formatting, system files and reserved space require other information.

Sources

Educational and planning information only. Sources are attributed background or formula references, not endorsements. Verify consequential decisions with an appropriate qualified professional.