Data Storage Unit Converter
Convert a storage value between Bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, and Terabytes instantly.
Results
What is it?
Digital storage uses powers of 2: 1 KB = 1,024 bytes, 1 MB = 1,024 KB, 1 GB = 1,024 MB, and so on. This is the "binary" (IEC) definition used by operating systems. Hard drive manufacturers use the "SI" definition (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) to make their drives appear larger.
How to use
Enter a numeric value and select its unit. All equivalent values in every other unit are displayed instantly. Useful for comparing cloud storage limits, RAM specifications, file sizes, and drive capacities.
Example scenario
You buy a "1 TB" hard drive but Windows shows 931 GB. Why? The manufacturer means 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Windows divides by 1,073,741,824 (1024 cubed) to get GiB, which it labels as GB. Enter 1 TB in this calculator: that is 1,099,511,627,776 bytes. The drive gives you 1,000,000,000,000 bytes — about 931.32 GiB.
Pro tip
The IEC standard (1999) introduced distinct units to avoid confusion: 1 kibibyte (KiB) = 1,024 bytes, 1 mebibyte (MiB) = 1,048,576 bytes, etc. Linux and macOS use binary units but label them GiB/MiB. Network speeds always use SI decimal (1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 bits/s), never binary.