Data Size Converter
Convert between Bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and PB instantly. Switch between decimal (SI) and binary (IEC) systems, see step-by-step formulas, and view all unit equivalents at once.
Data Size Reference
| Unit | Decimal (SI) | Binary (IEC) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KB / KiB | 1,000 B | 1,024 B | 2.4% |
| MB / MiB | 1,000,000 B | 1,048,576 B | 4.9% |
| GB / GiB | 1,000,000,000 B | 1,073,741,824 B | 7.4% |
| TB / TiB | 1,000,000,000,000 B | 1,099,511,627,776 B | 10.0% |
| PB / PiB | 1,000,000,000,000,000 B | 1,125,899,906,842,624 B | 12.6% |
Free Data Size Converter
The SmarterSources Data Size Converter lets you instantly convert between all common digital storage units including Bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, Terabytes, and Petabytes. It supports both the decimal (SI) system used by storage manufacturers and internet service providers, and the binary (IEC) system used by operating systems and programming.
How It Works
Enter a value, choose the source and target units, and see the result in real time. Behind the scenes, the tool converts your value to bytes first, then divides by the appropriate multiplier for the target unit. You can switch between decimal and binary systems at any time, and the full breakdown section shows your value expressed in every supported unit simultaneously.
Decimal (SI) vs. Binary (IEC)
In the decimal system, each unit step is 1,000 times the previous: 1 KB = 1,000 B, 1 MB = 1,000 KB, and so on. This is the standard used by hard drive manufacturers, internet providers, and most consumer-facing specifications. In the binary system, each unit step is 1,024 times the previous: 1 KiB = 1,024 B, 1 MiB = 1,024 KiB, and so on. This is the standard used by operating systems, RAM specifications, and most programming contexts. The difference grows larger at higher units — a petabyte is about 12.6% larger than a pebibyte.
Common Use Cases
Use this converter when planning file transfers and estimating transfer times, comparing storage device capacities, calculating bandwidth requirements for streaming or backups, verifying that advertised storage matches what your OS reports, or converting between units for technical documentation and development work.
Privacy
All conversions happen entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server and nothing is stored or logged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GB and GiB?
GB (gigabyte) uses the decimal (SI) system where 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes (109). GiB (gibibyte) uses the binary (IEC) system where 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes (230). The difference is about 7.4% at the gigabyte level.
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?
Hard drive manufacturers measure capacity in decimal units (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes). Operating systems like Windows display storage in binary units (1 TiB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes). A 1 TB drive shows as roughly 931 GiB — the space is not missing, just measured differently.
How many MB are in a GB?
In the decimal system, 1 GB = 1,000 MB. In the binary system, 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB. Most everyday contexts like file downloads and internet speeds use the decimal definition.
What data size units are commonly used?
The most common decimal units are Bytes, Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB), Terabytes (TB), and Petabytes (PB). The binary equivalents are Kibibytes (KiB), Mebibytes (MiB), Gibibytes (GiB), Tebibytes (TiB), and Pebibytes (PiB).
Is my data safe with this converter?
Yes. All conversions happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server, and nothing is stored or logged. Your inputs remain completely private.