Data Storage Converter
Convert between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and terabytes in both binary and decimal units.
Formula and sources updated · Data sources · 1View algorithm, constants and default inputs (JSON)
1 MB = 0.001 GB
About this calculator
Decimal units use 1,000 bytes per step; binary units use 1,024. This converter shows values under both conventions and rounds results, so check which convention your device uses. General mode allows fractional bytes. Whole-byte mode requires a nonnegative safe-integer byte count and also shows decimal and binary size equivalents.
Worked example
calculated with the default values below
Value 1 · From Gigabytes (GB) · To Megabytes (MB) · Decimal places 4 · Byte precision General conversion Result 1,000 · Decimal (1,000-based) 1,000.000000 · Binary (1,024-based) 953.674316 · Bytes 1,000,000,000 B · In gibibytes 0.931323 GiB · kB 1,000,000.000000 kB · MB 1,000.000000 MB · GB 1.000000 GB · TB 0.001000 TB · MiB 953.674316 MiB
Method and assumptions
Q_d = Q × 1000^(p_f − p_t); Q_b = Q × 1024^(p_f − p_t) Exponents: B=0, kB=1, MB=2, GB=3, TB=4, PB=5. Bytes = Q×1000^p_f; GiB = Q×1024^(p_f−3). Decimal units use 1,000 bytes per step; binary units use 1,024. This converter shows values under both conventions and rounds results, so check which convention your device uses. The references explain definitions and methods; any extra preset must be checked against the assumptions on this page.
Data sources
The references explain definitions and methods; any extra preset must be checked against the assumptions on this page.
Disclaimer
These calculators give general conversion results. Rounding and the precision of the value you enter both affect the output, so treat displayed decimals as indicative rather than exact.
Implementation source
This record describes the implementation used by this page. It is not independent validation. External references, when available, support only the stated formula or definition; estimates and custom rules retain their own assumptions.
Formula and variables
Q_d = Q × 1000^(p_f − p_t); Q_b = Q × 1024^(p_f − p_t)
- Q
- Value
- p_f
- Source exponent
- p_t
- Target exponent
- Q_d
- Decimal result
- Q_b
- Binary result
Exponents: B=0, kB=1, MB=2, GB=3, TB=4, PB=5. Bytes = Q×1000^p_f; GiB = Q×1024^(p_f−3).
Frequently asked questions
Why does my one terabyte drive show only about 931 gigabytes?
Because the drive was sold using decimal units and the operating system counts in binary ones. A manufacturer's terabyte is a thousand to the fourth power bytes, while the system reports a thousand and twenty-four to the fourth power per terabyte. Nothing is missing — the same number of bytes is simply labelled under two different conventions, and the gap grows with the size of the drive.
What is the difference between a megabit and a megabyte?
A factor of eight, which is why broadband speeds and file sizes never seem to line up. Connection speeds are quoted in bits per second, storage in bytes. So a hundred megabit line transfers at most twelve and a half megabytes per second in theory, and less in practice because of protocol overhead — roughly ten megabytes per second is a realistic expectation.
Which inputs and limits apply to Data Storage Converter?
Use the units shown beside each field. These are form limits, not recommended settings. Value: 0–1,000,000,000,000 Q_d = Q × 1000^(p_f − p_t); Q_b = Q × 1024^(p_f − p_t) Exponents: B=0, kB=1, MB=2, GB=3, TB=4, PB=5. Bytes = Q×1000^p_f; GiB = Q×1024^(p_f−3). Decimal units use 1,000 bytes per step; binary units use 1,024. This converter shows values under both conventions and rounds results, so check which convention your device uses. The references explain definitions and methods; any extra preset must be checked against the assumptions on this page.
What is a complete worked example for Value = 1; From = Gigabytes (GB)?
Inputs: Value = 1; From = Gigabytes (GB); To = Megabytes (MB); Decimal places = 4. Calculation: Q_d = Q × 1000^(p_f − p_t); Q_b = Q × 1024^(p_f − p_t). Results: Result = 1,000 MB; Binary (1,024-based) = 953.674316 MiB; Bytes = 1,000,000,000 B; In gibibytes = 0.931323 GiB.