Digital Storage Converter
Convert between different digital storage units including bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and more.
Digital Storage Conversion
Common File Sizes
Digital Storage Reference Guide
Binary vs Decimal Systems
Binary (1024-based): Used by operating systems
1 KiB = 1,024 bytes
1 MiB = 1,024 KiB = 1,048,576 bytes
1 GiB = 1,024 MiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes
Decimal (1000-based): Used by storage manufacturers
1 KB = 1,000 bytes
1 MB = 1,000 KB = 1,000,000 bytes
1 GB = 1,000 MB = 1,000,000,000 bytes
Storage Device Capacities
Floppy Disk: 1.44 MB
CD: 700 MB
DVD: 4.7 GB (single layer)
Blu-ray: 25 GB (single layer)
USB Flash: 8 GB - 1 TB
SSD: 120 GB - 8 TB
HDD: 500 GB - 20 TB
Enterprise: Up to 100 TB+
Data Transfer & Internet
Email attachment limit: ~25 MB
Streaming (HD): ~3 GB/hour
Streaming (4K): ~7 GB/hour
Web page: ~2 MB average
Mobile app: 10-200 MB
PC game: 20-150 GB
Important Notes
• 1 byte = 8 bits (fundamental relationship)
• Storage manufacturers use decimal, OS shows binary (explains "missing" space)
• Network speeds typically measured in bits per second (bps)
• File compression can significantly reduce storage requirements
Understanding Digital Storage Conversions
Digital storage conversions move between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and terabytes. The crucial subtlety is the difference between decimal and binary units: storage manufacturers use decimal (1 KB = 1,000 bytes), while operating systems often report binary units (1 KiB = 1,024 bytes).
This is why a "1 TB" drive shows as roughly 931 GB in your operating system, the drive is measured in decimal terabytes but the OS counts binary. A byte itself is 8 bits, so bandwidth figures quoted in megabits per second (Mbps) are eight times smaller than megabytes per second (MB/s).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many megabytes are in a gigabyte?
In decimal units, 1 GB = 1,000 MB. In binary units, 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB.
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?
Manufacturers measure in decimal (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes), but operating systems count in binary, so a 1 TB drive shows as about 931 GiB.
How many bits are in a byte?
There are 8 bits in a byte.
What is the difference between MB and Mb?
MB is megabytes (storage); Mb is megabits (often used for network speed). One byte is 8 bits, so 1 MB equals 8 Mb.