Data Storage Converter
Convert between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and more
Conversion Formula:
Multiply by 0.00097656
Common Conversions
Binary vs Decimal Units
Data storage units can be confusing because they have two systems:
| Decimal (SI) | Binary (IEC) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 KB = 1,000 bytes | 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes | KiB is 2.4% larger |
| 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes | 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes | MiB is 4.9% larger |
| 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes | 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes | GiB is 7.4% larger |
| 1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes | 1 TiB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes | TiB is 10.0% larger |
This difference is why your 1 TB hard drive might show as only 931 GB in your operating system, as the OS uses binary units (GiB) but labels them as GB.
Common File Sizes
Small Files:
- Single ASCII character: 1 byte
- Short SMS message: ~140 bytes
- Plain text email: 2-10 KB
- Small webpage (text only): 10-30 KB
- Low-resolution image: 20-100 KB
- Word document (few pages): 100-300 KB
Large Files:
- Smartphone photo: 2-5 MB
- MP3 song (3 min): 3-5 MB
- 1 hour HD video: 2-4 GB
- 4K movie: 15-30 GB
- Modern video game: 50-150 GB
- Autonomous car data (1 day): ~4 TB
Data Unit Cheat Sheet
For Bits and Bytes:
8 bits = 1 byte
1 Byte can store a single character
ASCII characters take 1 byte, while UTF-8 can take 1-4 bytes
Network Speeds:
1 Mbps (megabit per second) = 0.125 MB/s
8 Mbps connection needs ~1 second for 1 MB
100 Mbps connection needs ~1 second for 12.5 MB
Storage Capacities:
DVD: 4.7 GB (single layer)
Blu-ray: 25 GB (single layer), 50 GB (dual layer)
SSD/HDD: 250 GB to 18+ TB common today
Memory (RAM):
4-8 GB: Basic computing
16 GB: Gaming, multitasking
32+ GB: Professional work, data science
Bits vs. Bytes
- Used for data transfer rates
- Internet speeds (Mbps)
- Network connections
- Lowercase "b" in abbreviations
- 8 bits = 1 byte
- Used for file and storage size
- Hard drive capacity (GB, TB)
- RAM memory (GB)
- Uppercase "B" in abbreviations
- Stores 1 character of text
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Visual Comparison
What fits in this storage?
A few minutes of audio
Data Unit Cheat Sheet
1 Byte = 8 bits (one character)
1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1,024 bytes
1 Megabyte (MB) = 1,024 KB
1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,024 MB
1 Terabyte (TB) = 1,024 GB
1 Petabyte (PB) = 1,024 TB
Mobile tip: Swipe left or right on the unit dropdown to quickly change units, or use the arrow buttons
About the Data Storage Converter
Convert between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and more All conversions run instantly in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to a server.
Common Conversion Formulas
| From | To | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Bytes (B) | Bits (b) | b = B × 8 |
| Megabytes (MB) | Kilobytes (KB) | KB = MB × 1024 |
| Gigabytes (GB) | Megabytes (MB) | MB = GB × 1024 |
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