Storage Unit Calculator
Convert digital storage sizes between bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB and TB.
Inputs
- Value
- From
- To
Notes and assumptions
- Uses binary (1024-based) prefixes, matching how operating systems report file and disk sizes — not the decimal (1000-based) prefixes some manufacturers use on packaging.
What it does
Converts storage sizes between bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB and TB using 1024-based steps, the way operating systems report sizes.
Where it's used
Comparing file sizes, disk space and memory.
How to use it
- Enter the value.
- Choose the unit it is in.
- Choose the unit you want.
The formula explained
- 1 byte
- 8 bits
- 1 KB
- 1024 bytes (in this calculator)
- 1 MB / GB / TB
- 1024 of the unit below
Worked example
Inputs:
- Value: 500
- From: Gigabytes (GB)
- To: Megabytes (MB)
The calculator gives:
- Result: 512000 MB
Tips and common mistakes
- Drive makers use 1000-based units, so a “1 TB” drive shows about 931 GB.
- Network speeds are in bits; file sizes are in bytes.
- Strictly, 1024-based units are KiB, MiB and GiB.
Questions people ask
Why does my 1 TB drive show only 931 GB?
The maker counts 1 TB as 10¹² bytes, but the computer divides by 1024³ for each GB: 10¹² / 1 073 741 824 ≈ 931 GB. No space is missing.
What is the difference between bits and bytes?
A byte is 8 bits. File sizes are given in bytes (B) and network speeds in bits (b) per second, so a 100 Mbps connection moves at most 12.5 MB per second.
What are KiB, MiB and GiB?
The official names for the 1024-based units, introduced to avoid confusion: 1 KiB = 1024 bytes, 1 MiB = 1024 KiB. This calculator uses those 1024 steps, labelled KB, MB and GB as most operating systems do.
Related Maths, Units & Data calculators
Enter your values to get the result with the formula, substituted values and an explanation of each step.