What the data storage converter does
This tool converts a quantity of data from one unit into all the others: bit, Byte, KB, MB, GB, TB and PB. Type a value, pick the source unit, and every other equivalent appears instantly. All of the math runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded anywhere.
What sets this converter apart is the switch between two systems that rarely get explained clearly: the decimal system (base 1000) used by manufacturers and the binary system (base 1024) used by operating systems. That single difference is why a “1 TB” drive shows up on your computer as roughly 931 GB.
How to use it
- Type the number you want to convert in “Value to convert”.
- Choose the source unit (GB, for example).
- Pick the system: decimal (1000, SI) or binary (1024, IEC).
- Read the equivalents in the result cards.
- Hit “Copy” on any card to send that value to your clipboard.
Bit versus Byte
A bit is the smallest unit of information: it is either 0 or 1. A Byte is 8 bits grouped together, enough to store one character. The rule is simple: 1 Byte = 8 bits.
The capitalization matters. A lowercase “b” means bits; an uppercase “B” means Bytes. That is why internet speed is advertised in megabits per second (Mbps) while file sizes are measured in megabytes (MB).
Decimal (SI) versus binary (IEC)
There are two ways to scale the units:
- Decimal system (SI): each step multiplies by 1000. This is the international standard, and it is what drive makers, USB sticks and internet providers use.
- Binary system (IEC): each step multiplies by 1024, the natural power of 2 for computers. To avoid confusion, the IEC standard gave these their own names: KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB.
| Unit | Decimal (SI) | Binary (IEC) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 KB / KiB | 1000 B | 1024 B |
| 1 MB / MiB | 1000 KB | 1024 KiB |
| 1 GB / GiB | 1000 MB | 1024 MiB |
| 1 TB / TiB | 1000 GB | 1024 GiB |
Worked example
Convert 1 GB in the decimal system:
- 1 GB = 1000 MB
- = 1,000,000 KB
- = 1,000,000,000 Bytes
- = 8,000,000,000 bits
Now the classic drive puzzle. A “1 TB” drive holds 1,000,000,000,000 Bytes (decimal, the manufacturer’s count). Windows measures it in binary, dividing by 1024 three times: 1,000,000,000,000 ÷ 1024 ÷ 1024 ÷ 1024 = 931.32 GiB. The drive is not missing any space; the two sides simply count with different rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many MB are in a GB, 1000 or 1024?
It depends on the system. In decimal (SI), 1 GB = 1000 MB. In binary (IEC), 1 GiB = 1024 MiB. Both figures are correct; you just need to know which one a given device or app is using.
Why does my 1 TB drive show less capacity?
Because the manufacturer measures it in decimal (1 TB = one trillion bytes) while the operating system reports it in binary (dividing by 1024). A 1 TB decimal drive equals about 931 GiB. No space is missing: it is just the conversion between the two systems.
Are my internet’s megabits the same as megabytes?
No. Speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and files in megabytes (MB). Since 1 Byte = 8 bits, a 100 Mbps connection downloads at most 12.5 MB per second (100 ÷ 8). That is why a download can feel slow when it is not: you are mixing bits with bytes.
Which system should I choose?
Use decimal to interpret what manufacturers and providers advertise; use binary to understand what Windows, RAM and real in-memory sizes report.