Data Storage Converter

Base 10 and Base 2 Units

Edit any field; all decimal and binary data units stay in sync.

Bits (b)

Nibbles

Bytes (B)

Kilobytes (KB, base 10)

Megabytes (MB, base 10)

Gigabytes (GB, base 10)

Terabytes (TB, base 10)

Kibibytes (KiB, base 2)

Mebibytes (MiB, base 2)

Gibibytes (GiB, base 2)

Tebibytes (TiB, base 2)

Address Range

Zero-based range represented by the whole number of bytes, starting at 0.

Hexadecimal —

Octal —

Binary —

Base 10 (decimal): used by most drive and network marketing labels. 1 KB = 1,000 B, 1 MB = 1,000,000 B, 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 B. Base 2 (binary): used by many operating systems and memory contexts. 1 KiB = 1,024 B, 1 MiB = 1,048,576 B, 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 B. 1 byte = 8 bits. 1 nibble = 4 bits = 0.5 bytes.

How data storage units convert

Decimal vs binary prefixes

Storage marketing and operating systems disagree about “gigabytes.” SI decimal prefixes (kB, MB, GB, TB) advance by powers of 1,000. Binary prefixes (KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB) advance by powers of 1,024. This converter keeps bits, bytes, and both families synchronised so you can see why a “256 GB” SSD and a “256 GiB” readout are not the same quantity.

Quick factors

8 bits = 1 byte
1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes; 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes
1 GB = 1,000³ bytes; 1 GiB = 1,024³ bytes

Worked example

1 GB (decimal) = 1,000,000,000 bytes ≈ 0.931 GiB. That gap grows at TB/TiB scale and explains many “my drive looks smaller in the OS” conversations.

Common mistakes

Assuming MB always means 1024² bytes.
Comparing ISP megabits/s with file megabytes without dividing by 8.
Ignoring filesystem overhead when estimating free space.

FAQs

Bits or bytes for downloads?: Speeds are often megabits; files are bytes — convert carefully.
Where do endian topics fit?: Byte order inside integers is separate — see Byte Storage Order.

When this page helps

Use it when you want a transparent, browser-side calculation with the assumptions spelled out — then verify anything high-stakes against primary docs, a professional, or your own measurements. The related links below point to sibling tools and longer guides when you need more context.

Accuracy notes

Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the simplified model described above. Device clocks, tape measurements, market rates, and recipe conventions can all differ from a perfect textbook case. If an output looks surprising, re-check units first, then re-read the formula section.

Last updated: July 2026