Data / Number / Computer Science Tools

Byte Converter

Convert between bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and PB - decimal (1000-based) and binary (1024-based) units kept clearly separate.

Enter a value and choose the source/target units - this tool converts accurately, always showing whether decimal or binary convention is in use.

Value

From Unit

To Unit

Decimal units (kB, MB, GB, TB) use base-1000 multiples, as storage manufacturers typically advertise. Binary units (KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB) use base-1024 multiples, matching how operating systems often actually report size. This tool never mixes the two conventions silently - conversions between a decimal and binary unit are computed exactly via bytes as the common base.

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For a dedicated bits-to-bytes conversion, see Bits to Bytes - for large storage-specific units specifically, see the KB/MB/GB/TB Converter.

Decimal vs. Binary Units - Why It Matters

Storage manufacturers use decimal units (1 KB = 1000 bytes, per SI convention) while operating systems often report binary units (1 KiB = 1024 bytes) - using the wrong convention causes the well-known discrepancy between a drive's advertised and reported capacity. This tool never silently assumes one or the other.

How to Use It

Enter a value and its current unit.
Choose decimal (kB/MB/GB/TB, powers of 1000) or binary (KiB/MiB/GiB/TiB, powers of 1024) convention.
Select the target unit - the converted value appears instantly with the formula shown.

Limitations

This performs unit math only - it doesn't know anything about a specific file or drive's real, actual size, only the conversion you request.

Example: The "Missing" Space on a New Drive

A drive sold as 1 TB holds 1,000,000,000,000 bytes (decimal). Windows divides by 1024 at each step, so it shows:

1,000,000,000,000 ÷ 1024³ ≈ 931 GB (really 931 GiB)

No space is missing - the same number of bytes is being counted in two different units.

Decimal and Binary Units

Decimal (SI)	Bytes	Binary (IEC)	Bytes
1 kB	1,000	1 KiB	1,024
1 MB	1,000,000	1 MiB	1,048,576
1 GB	10⁹	1 GiB	1,073,741,824
1 TB	10¹²	1 TiB	1,099,511,627,776

Which Convention Is Used Where?

Decimal: drive manufacturers, macOS Finder, network speeds, most cloud storage pricing.
Binary: Windows Explorer (labelled "GB"), RAM sizes, Linux tools with -h flags, many programming APIs.

For KB/MB/GB/TB only, the KB/MB/GB/TB Converter is quicker. Plan capacity with the Storage Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Officially 1 kB = 1000 bytes and 1 KiB = 1024 bytes. Many operating systems still say "KB" when they mean 1024, which is why the tool shows both systems separately.

Drive makers use decimal units (1 TB = 10^12 bytes) while Windows reports binary units (GiB) labelled as GB. 10^12 bytes is about 931 GiB.

A byte is 8 bits, so 1 KB (1000 bytes) is 8000 bits. Half a byte (4 bits) is called a nibble.