b · B · KB · MB · GB · TB · PB
Free Data Storage Converter
Convert data storage units instantly — bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and petabytes. Free, symmetrical, no sign-up.
Why symmetrical conversion?
How This Converter Works
Data storage uses powers of 1,000 (SI decimal) for storage marketing — where 1 KB = 1,000 bytes — but operating systems often use binary prefixes where 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes. Our converter uses the standard SI decimal system.
Quick reference
Common Conversions
| Unit | Bytes | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Byte (B) | 1 byte | Single character of text |
| 1 Kilobyte (KB) | 1,000 bytes | Short email or text document |
| 1 Megabyte (MB) | 1,000,000 bytes | 1–2 minute MP3 audio file |
| 1 Gigabyte (GB) | 1,000,000,000 bytes | ~250 photos or ~4 minutes of 4K video |
| 1 Terabyte (TB) | 1,000,000,000,000 bytes | External hard drive capacity |
| 1 Petabyte (PB) | 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes | Large data centre storage |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1How many megabytes are in a gigabyte?
Using the SI decimal standard, 1 GB = 1,000 MB. However, operating systems like Windows use binary prefixes where 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB, which is why a '1 TB' hard drive shows as ~931 GB in Windows.
2What is the difference between a bit and a byte?
A bit is the smallest unit of digital information (0 or 1). A byte contains 8 bits. Data transfer speeds are measured in bits per second (Mbps), while storage sizes use bytes (MB, GB).
3How many GB is a typical movie file?
A 1080p HD movie is typically 4–8 GB. A 4K HDR movie can be 25–100 GB depending on compression. A DVD-quality film is roughly 4–7 GB.
4Why does my 1 TB hard drive show less than 1,000 GB?
Hard drive manufacturers use SI decimal (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes), while your OS uses binary (1 TiB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes). The difference is about 9.95%, which is why 1 TB appears as ~931 GB in Windows.
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