Data Storage Converter
Convert between bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and PB with both binary (1024) and decimal (1000) values shown side by side.
Quick Answer
1 GB = 1,000 MB (decimal) or 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB (binary). 1 byte = 8 bits. A 1 TB drive shows as ~931 GiB in your OS. Enter a value below to see both systems.
Convert Data Size
Enter a value and select a unit. Both binary and decimal equivalents will be shown.
Decimal (SI) — base 1000
| Bits (b) | 8,000,000,000 |
| Bytes (B) | 1,000,000,000 |
| Kilobytes (KB) | 1,000,000 |
| Megabytes (MB) | 1,000 |
| Gigabytes (GB) | 1 |
| Terabytes (TB) | 0.001 |
| Petabytes (PB) | 0.000001 |
Binary (IEC) — base 1024
| Bits (b) | 8,000,000,000 |
| Bytes (B) | 1,000,000,000 |
| Kibibytes (KiB) | 976,562.5 |
| Mebibytes (MiB) | 953.6743 |
| Gibibytes (GiB) | 0.9313225746 |
| Tebibytes (TiB) | 0.0009094947 |
| Pebibytes (PiB) | 0.0000008882 |
Common File & Storage Sizes
| Item | Typical Size |
|---|---|
| Text email (no attachments) | ~10 KB |
| MP3 song (4 min) | ~4 MB |
| HD photo (JPEG) | ~5 MB |
| HD movie (1080p, 2 hrs) | ~4-5 GB |
| 4K movie (2 hrs) | ~15-20 GB |
| Typical SSD | 256 GB - 2 TB |
| Cloud storage (free tier) | 5-15 GB |
About This Tool
The Data Storage Converter lets you instantly convert between seven common data size units, showing both decimal (SI) and binary (IEC) values side by side. This dual display helps you understand the discrepancy between advertised storage sizes and what your operating system reports.
Decimal vs Binary: Why It Matters
Storage manufacturers use decimal prefixes (1 KB = 1,000 bytes, 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) because it is the standard set by the International System of Units. Operating systems historically used binary prefixes (1 KB = 1,024 bytes) because computers work in powers of two. To resolve this ambiguity, the IEC introduced binary prefixes: kibibyte (KiB), mebibyte (MiB), gibibyte (GiB), etc. Modern macOS uses decimal units, while Windows still shows binary values with decimal labels.
Bits vs Bytes in Internet Speeds
Internet service providers advertise speeds in megabits per second (Mbps), while file sizes are measured in megabytes (MB). Since 1 byte = 8 bits, you need to divide your internet speed by 8 to get the approximate download speed in megabytes per second. A 100 Mbps connection downloads at roughly 12.5 MB/s under ideal conditions.
Modern Storage Scales
Consumer storage has grown dramatically: smartphones now offer 128 GB to 1 TB, laptops typically include 256 GB to 2 TB SSDs, and cloud storage plans range from 100 GB to multiple TB. At enterprise scale, data is measured in petabytes (PB) and exabytes (EB). Understanding these units helps when comparing plans, estimating backup needs, and planning data migrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GB and GiB?
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?
How many megabytes are in a gigabyte?
What is the difference between bits and bytes?
How much storage do I need?
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