Data Storage Converter
Instantly convert between bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB, bits, KiB, MiB, GiB. Supports decimal (SI) and binary (IEC) systems. Free, private & accurate.
What is a data storage converter?
A data storage converter is a tool that converts between different digital storage units such as bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes and petabytes. It helps you understand and compare file sizes, storage capacities and data transfer amounts across different measurement systems.
What is the difference between decimal (SI) and binary (IEC) units?
Decimal (SI) units use powers of 10: 1 KB = 1,000 bytes, 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes. Binary (IEC) units use powers of 2: 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes, 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes. Storage manufacturers use decimal units, while operating systems typically use binary units, which is why a 500 GB drive shows as approximately 465 GiB.
How many bytes are in a kilobyte?
In the decimal (SI) system, 1 kilobyte (KB) = 1,000 bytes. In the binary (IEC) system, 1 kibibyte (KiB) = 1,024 bytes. This converter supports both systems so you can choose the one you need.
What is the difference between MB and MiB?
MB (megabyte) uses the decimal system where 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes (10^6). MiB (mebibyte) uses the binary system where 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes (2^20). The difference becomes more significant at larger units.
How many GB are in a TB?
In decimal, 1 terabyte (TB) = 1,000 gigabytes (GB). In binary, 1 tebibyte (TiB) = 1,024 gibibytes (GiB). This is why a 1 TB hard drive displays as approximately 931 GiB in most operating systems.
Why does my hard drive show less storage than advertised?
Storage manufacturers label drives using decimal units (1 GB = 1 billion bytes), but operating systems like Windows use binary units (1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes). A 500 GB drive actually contains 500,000,000,000 bytes, which equals about 465 GiB when divided by 1,073,741,824.
What is the difference between a bit and a byte?
A bit is the smallest unit of data (0 or 1). A byte consists of 8 bits. Network speeds are typically measured in bits per second (bps), while file sizes are measured in bytes. To convert bits to bytes, divide by 8.
What are the largest storage units?
Common large units include: petabyte (PB) = 10^15 bytes, exabyte (EB) = 10^18 bytes, zettabyte (ZB) = 10^21 bytes, and yottabyte (YB) = 10^24 bytes. As of 2024, global data creation is measured in zettabytes.
How do I convert between storage units manually?
To convert from a larger unit to a smaller one, multiply by the conversion factor (1000 or 1024). To convert from smaller to larger, divide. For example, to convert 2 GB to MB: 2 x 1000 = 2,000 MB (decimal) or 2 x 1024 = 2,048 MB (binary).
What is a nibble?
A nibble is half a byte, consisting of 4 bits. It can represent 16 different values (0-15) and corresponds to a single hexadecimal digit. Nibbles are commonly used in low-level computing and networking.
Is my data sent to a server?
No, all calculations are performed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is transmitted to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.
Can I use this converter on mobile devices?
Yes, the data storage converter is fully responsive and works seamlessly on smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. No app installation is required.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, this data storage converter is completely free with no registration required, no usage limits, and no hidden fees. You can perform unlimited conversions at any time.
What is the standard storage unit for file sizes?
File sizes are commonly expressed in KB, MB, or GB depending on the file size. Small text files are typically in KB range, photos and documents in MB range, and videos and system images in GB range. Enterprise data is often measured in TB or PB.