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Gigabytes to Terabytes

One gigabyte equals 0.001 terabytes.

Terabytes = gigabytes ÷ 1000

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

Gigabytes to Terabytes Conversion Table

GBTB
10.001
1000.1
2500.25
5000.5
5120.512
10001
10241.024
20002
40004
80008
1000010
1600016
2000020
5000050

About This Conversion

Gigabytes to terabytes divides by 1,000 in the decimal units drives are sold in. A 500 GB SSD is 0.5 TB, and 8,000 GB is the 8 TB written on the box.

This is the conversion where advertised capacity and reported capacity part company. A 1 TB drive holds 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, which the operating system divides by 1,024 three times and reports as about 931 GiB. Nothing is missing; the drive is measured in decimal and reported in binary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many GB are in a TB?

1 TB is 1,000 GB in decimal units, the convention drive manufacturers use.

Why does my 1 TB drive show 931 GB?

The drive holds 10¹² bytes, and the operating system reports binary gibibytes, which are larger. 10¹² bytes is about 931 GiB.

How many TB is 500 GB?

500 GB is 0.5 TB.

How many GB is 2 TB?

2 TB is 2,000 GB.

Worth Knowing

MB vs MiB

A megabyte is 1,000,000 bytes while a mebibyte is 1,048,576 bytes, and the gap grows with each prefix until a 1 TB drive reports as 931 GB.