Data Storage Converter
Convert bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and binary units.
This data storage converter, or storage converter, switches between common digital storage units - bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes - accounting for the distinction between decimal (1000-based) and binary (1024-based) unit definitions.
Enter a data size in any supported unit, and the calculator returns the equivalent in your chosen target unit.
Worked Calculation Examples
| Scenario | Result | Calculation Step |
|---|---|---|
| 1 TB (decimal) to GB | 1,000 GB | 1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes; 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. 1,000,000,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000,000 = 1,000 GB. |
| 1 TB (decimal) shown in binary GiB | ≈931.3 GiB | 1,000,000,000,000 bytes ÷ 1,073,741,824 (bytes per GiB) ≈ 931.3 GiB, explaining why a "1 TB" drive shows less than 1,000 in a file explorer. |
Decimal vs. Binary Storage Units
Storage manufacturers typically use decimal units (1 KB = 1,000 bytes, 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes), while operating systems often display binary units (1 KiB = 1,024 bytes, 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes) under the same familiar names - this discrepancy is why a drive advertised as '1 TB' often shows as roughly 931 GB in an operating system's file explorer.
Why the Discrepancy Grows at Larger Sizes
The gap between decimal and binary definitions compounds at each unit level (1.024x per step), so the percentage difference between the two systems grows larger moving from KB to MB to GB to TB - a 1 TB drive shows roughly a 9-10% 'missing' capacity under binary counting, even though no data is actually lost.
How to Use the Data Storage Converter
- Open the Data Storage Converter and enter the values requested in the input fields.
- Check the units, percentages, dates, or time periods before reading the answer.
- Review the instant result and adjust any value to compare another scenario.
- Use the formula, example, and FAQs below to understand how the data storage converter works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?
Manufacturers use decimal units (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes), while operating systems display binary units under the same unit names (1 TiB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes) - the drive isn't missing capacity, it's just measured differently.
What is the difference between KB and KiB?
KB (kilobyte) traditionally means 1,000 bytes in decimal counting, while KiB (kibibyte) explicitly means 1,024 bytes in binary counting - though many systems historically used 'KB' loosely to mean either.
How many bytes are in a megabyte?
In decimal terms, 1 megabyte equals 1,000,000 bytes. In binary terms (as many operating systems calculate it under the same name), 1 MB effectively equals 1,048,576 bytes.
How do I use this data storage converter?
Enter the known values, review the units or settings, and the calculator updates the result instantly. The formula and example on this page show how the answer is produced.
What does the Data Storage Converter calculate?
Convert bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and binary units. It is designed for fast browser-based calculations without sign-up, downloads, or manual spreadsheet setup.
What formula does this data storage use?
The formula is: target = source bytes / target byte size. The byte-versus-kibibyte confusion (1 KB = 1,000 bytes decimal, versus 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes binary) stems from early computer engineers in the 1960s reusing familiar metric prefixes loosely for the nearest power of two, since 1,024 is close to 1,000 - the International Electrotechnical Commission only introduced the unambiguous binary prefixes (KiB, MiB, GiB) in 1998, decades after the ambiguous convention was already deeply entrenched in computing.
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Last updated: September 27, 2026.