Data Storage Converter
Convert between bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and petabytes.
The Data Storage Converter converts between all common digital storage units using binary (base-2) definitions where 1 KB = 1024 bytes.
Supported Units
- Bit: The smallest unit of data (0 or 1)
- Byte: 8 bits — stores one character
- Kilobyte (KB): 1,024 bytes
- Megabyte (MB): 1,024 KB = 1,048,576 bytes
- Gigabyte (GB): 1,024 MB ≈ 1.07 billion bytes
- Terabyte (TB): 1,024 GB ≈ 1.1 trillion bytes
- Petabyte (PB): 1,024 TB
Binary vs Decimal
This converter uses binary (IEC) definitions (powers of 1024). Hard drive manufacturers often use decimal definitions (powers of 1000), which is why a "500 GB" drive shows as ~465 GB in your operating system. The binary standard matches what operating systems report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my 1 TB drive show less than 1 TB?
Drive manufacturers use decimal units (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes) while operating systems use binary (1 TB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes). So a 1 TB drive shows as about 931 GB.
What is the difference between KB and KiB?
KB (kilobyte) traditionally means 1024 bytes in computing. KiB (kibibyte) is the IEC standard term for 1024 bytes. This converter uses the traditional KB = 1024 bytes definition.
How many bytes are in a gigabyte?
In binary (computing): 1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes (1024³). In decimal (storage marketing): 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes (1000³).