Data Storage Converter
Convert data storage units between bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and more. Online digital storage converter.
About this calculator
Phones, drives and cloud plans quote storage in bytes, but the same number can mean different things. Operating systems count 1 GB as 1,024 MB, while manufacturers count 1 GB as 1,000 MB. This converter handles both, in bytes, bits, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB and the decimal SI versions.
This is why a 128 GB phone shows about 119 GB of space: 128 billion bytes divided by 1,073,741,824 is 119.2.
How to use it
- Type the Value.
- Choose the From Unit and To Unit.
- Press Convert.
Binary and decimal
Binary (what Windows and phones show): 1 KB = 1,024 B, 1 MB = 1,024 KB, 1 GB = 1,024 MB. Decimal SI (what drive makers advertise): 1 kB = 1,000 B and so on. 1 byte = 8 bits.
Worked example
Examples
| 1 GB (binary) | 1,024 MB |
| 1 TB (binary) | 1,024 GB |
| 128 GB (decimal) | 119.2 GB (binary) |
| 1 byte | 8 bits |
| 100 Mbps | 12.5 MB per second |
Tips and common mistakes
- Internet speeds are in bits: divide Mbps by 8 for MB per second.
- Drive makers use decimal, so your OS shows less space.
- Use SI units when comparing advertised storage.
- A photo is 3 to 8 MB, a song 4 MB and an hour of HD video about 3 GB.
- Upload and download times scale with file size divided by speed.
Frequently asked questions
How many MB are in a GB?
1,024 in binary units and 1,000 in decimal.
Why does my drive show less space?
The OS counts in binary, the maker in decimal, and some space is reserved.
How many bits are in a byte?
8.
What is a petabyte?
1,024 terabytes.
What is the difference between MB and Mb?
MB is megabytes, Mb is megabits, which is 8 times smaller.
How long does a 1 GB file take at 100 Mbps?
About 80 seconds.