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Data Storage Converter

Convert between digital storage units — bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes and petabytes. Uses binary (1,024) multiples.

1 b = 0.125 B
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About data storage conversions

Digital storage is counted two ways under the same names. This converter uses binary values — a kilobyte is 1,024 bytes, a megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes — because that is what operating systems report for files and memory. Storage manufacturers generally use decimal values based on 1,000, which is a large part of why a drive labelled 500 GB shows less usable capacity in your file manager.

Bits and bytes are different units: eight bits make one byte. Network speeds are quoted in bits per second, so a 20 Mbps connection moves about 2.5 megabytes per second. Data allowances on mobile bundles are usually in bytes.

  • File, photo and video sizes (megabytes, gigabytes).
  • Phone storage, memory cards and drives (gigabytes, terabytes).
  • Mobile data bundles (usually gigabytes).
  • Connection speeds — quoted in bits, not bytes.

Reading the answers. Binary and decimal definitions diverge by about 2.4% at kilo and 7.4% at tera. This converter is binary throughout, so it will not match a manufacturer's decimal specification exactly.

The units in this converter

What each unit is and where it is normally used. Everything here is converted through the bytes.

Bits (b)
A bit is the smallest unit of digital information: a single 0 or 1. Network speeds and mobile data caps are usually quoted in bits, while file sizes use bytes — eight bits make one byte.
Bytes (B)
A byte is eight bits and normally holds one character of text. It is the base unit for file sizes, memory and storage, and the unit your file manager reports.
Kilobytes (KB)
This converter treats a kilobyte as 1,024 bytes, the binary value operating systems report. Storage manufacturers often label 1,000 bytes a kilobyte, which is one reason a drive shows less capacity than its label.
Megabytes (MB)
A megabyte here is 1,024 kilobytes. It is used for photos, documents and short audio files; a photo from a phone camera is usually 2 to 5 megabytes.
Gigabytes (GB)
A gigabyte here is 1,024 megabytes. It is the usual unit for phone storage, mobile data bundles and video; an hour of standard-definition video is roughly a gigabyte.
Terabytes (TB)
A terabyte here is 1,024 gigabytes. It is used for hard drives, backups and archives; a terabyte holds roughly 250,000 photos or 250 hours of video.
Petabytes (PB)
A petabyte here is 1,024 terabytes. It is used for data-centre and large-scale storage figures — a single rack of drives can hold several petabytes.

Popular conversions

Megabytes to GigabytesGigabytes to MegabytesGigabytes to TerabytesTerabytes to GigabytesKilobytes to MegabytesMegabytes to KilobytesBits to Bytes

Convert from any data storage unit

Each unit has its own page with every other unit in the dimension, the exact factor for each, and worked values.

Bits converterb to 6 other data storage unitsBytes converterB to 6 other data storage unitsKilobytes converterKB to 6 other data storage unitsMegabytes converterMB to 6 other data storage unitsGigabytes converterGB to 6 other data storage unitsTerabytes converterTB to 6 other data storage unitsPetabytes converterPB to 6 other data storage units

Frequently asked questions

How many bytes are in a kilobyte?

Using binary (1,024) multiples, one kilobyte (KB) equals 1,024 bytes.

How many megabytes are in a gigabyte?

One gigabyte (GB) equals 1,024 megabytes (MB).

How many bits are in a byte?

One byte equals exactly 8 bits.

All data storage conversions

Every data storage conversion on Calculator, listed in full.