Data Storage Converter
Convert bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and beyond. Decimal units (GB) count in 1,000s. Binary units (GiB) count in 1,024s.
Enter a value
Result
1 gigabytes (1,000³ b) =
1,000 MB
1 × 1,000 = 1,000
Decimal units count in 1,000s; binary units (KiB, MiB, GiB) count in 1,024s
Show the working
- 1. Convert 1 GB to bytes: 1 × 1,000,000,000 = 1,000,000,000.
- 2. Convert to MB: 1,000,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 1,000.
1 GB in every unit
Why a drive shows less than advertised
- A 500 GB drive shows as
- ≈ 465.7 GiB
- MP3 song
- ≈ 4 MB
- Phone photo
- ≈ 3 MB
- HD film
- ≈ 4 GB
Good to know: A "500 GB" drive shows about 465.7 GiB in an operating system that counts in binary.
About this tool
Convert between bytes, KB, MB, GB, and TB — essential for understanding file sizes, disk capacity, and download estimates.
Formula
Decimal: 1 KB = 1,000 bytes. Binary: 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes. Most OS use binary but label it as KB.
Reference values
- 1 MB = 1,024 KB (binary)
- 1 GB = 1,024 MB
- 1 TB = 1,024 GB
Questions people ask
How many MB are in a GB?
1,000 MB in a decimal GB, and 1,024 MiB in a binary GiB.
Why does my drive show less space than the box says?
Manufacturers count in decimal, while some systems show binary units, so the number looks smaller though nothing is missing.
How many bits are in a byte?
8.
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How we calculate this
We use the standard published formula or definition for this calculation, and we show the working so you can check it. Source: NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units.
Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll check it. How we check our calculators