Complete guide: Digital Storage
Updated:
A byte contains eight bits. Decimal prefixes use powers of 1,000: 1 kB = 1,000 bytes, 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes and 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Capital B means bytes; bit is spelled out to avoid ambiguity.
Binary prefixes use powers of 1,024: 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes and 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. Thus 1 GB is about 0.9313225746 GiB. Differences between drive labels and systems may reflect this convention, as well as formatting and reserved space.
Equivalences use internal precision and display up to ten significant digits. Very small quantities use scientific notation so they do not appear to be zero. Changing units does not change the object or replace a real measurement.
Sources and conversion conventions
Document review: 2026-10-24
How it works
- 1Select units or the applicable reference.
- 2Enter the quantity or size you want to compare.
- 3Check the breakdown and equivalence conventions.
Frequently asked questions
Can different physical quantities be converted?
No. Each converter keeps one physical quantity. Converting mass to volume requires the substance's density.
Can I share a conversion with its values?
Yes. The link retains quantity, units and all entered options; recipients can reproduce the result and edit the inputs.