Digital Storage Converter
Convert digital storage between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes and petabytes, using the binary 1024-based convention used by operating systems.
Digital Storage Converter
Digital Storage — Result
0.000976563 KB
1 Byte = 0.000976563 Kilobyte
How It Works
Digital storage is measured in bytes, with each larger unit being a multiple of the byte. This converter uses the binary convention that operating systems and memory use: 1 kilobyte = 1,024 bytes, 1 megabyte = 1,024 KB, 1 gigabyte = 1,024 MB, and so on, each step being 2^10 = 1,024. To convert, the value is multiplied by its from-unit's byte factor and divided by the target unit's factor. There is a well-known discrepancy: storage manufacturers often use the decimal convention (1 KB = 1,000 bytes), which is why a drive sold as "500 GB" shows up as roughly 465 GB in your operating system — the OS counts in 1,024-based units while the label used 1,000-based units. Strictly, the binary units are called KiB, MiB, GiB, but in everyday use KB, MB and GB usually mean the 1,024-based values, which is what this converter applies. It is useful for estimating file sizes, storage capacity, backup planning, and data-transfer amounts.
Formula
Result = value × (bytes per from-unit) ÷ (bytes per to-unit). Base: byte. Binary steps: 1 KB = 1,024 B, 1 MB = 1,024 KB, 1 GB = 1,024 MB.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1 KB equal to 1,000 or 1,024 bytes?
It depends on the convention. This converter uses the binary standard (1 KB = 1,024 bytes) that operating systems and memory use. Storage manufacturers often use the decimal standard (1 KB = 1,000 bytes) on packaging.
Why does my 1 TB drive show less than 1 TB?
The manufacturer labels capacity in decimal units (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes), but your OS counts in binary (1 TB = 1,024^4 bytes ≈ 1.1 trillion). Dividing gives about 931 GB shown for a "1 TB" drive.
How many MB are in a GB?
In the binary convention this converter uses, 1 GB = 1,024 MB. (In the decimal convention some vendors use, 1 GB = 1,000 MB.)
What are KiB, MiB and GiB?
They are the strict binary units — kibibyte (1,024 bytes), mebibyte (1,024 KiB), gibibyte (1,024 MiB) — defined to remove ambiguity. In everyday usage KB/MB/GB usually mean these 1,024-based values.
How do I estimate how many photos or songs fit on a drive?
Convert the drive size to MB, then divide by the average file size (e.g., ~4 MB per song, ~3-8 MB per photo). This converter gives you the MB/GB figures to do that quickly.