Data Storage Converter
Convert between units of digital information including bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB. Supports both decimal (SI) and binary (IEC) prefixes for accurate data storage calculations.
Convert Data Storage Units
Enter a data storage value and select the units to convert between:
1 byte = 8 bits • 1 KB = 1,000 bytes (decimal) • 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes (binary)
Understanding Data Storage Units
Data storage units can be confusing due to the existence of two different numbering systems: decimal (SI) prefixes and binary (IEC) prefixes. Understanding the difference is crucial for accurate storage calculations.
Data Storage Unit Systems
🔢 Decimal System (SI)
Uses powers of 10
Used for marketing and hard drives
1 KB = 1,000 bytes
1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes
1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes
Easier for humans to understand
💻 Binary System (IEC)
Uses powers of 2
Used by computers and RAM
1 KiB = 1,024 bytes
1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes
1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes
Matches binary addressing
🔀 The Confusion
Hard drives: Use decimal (advertised as 1 TB = 1,000 GB)
Operating systems: Use binary (shows as 931 GB)
The "missing" space is actually correctly calculated
Both systems are technically correct
Complete Unit Conversion Table
| Unit | Symbol | Decimal (SI) | Binary (IEC) | Bytes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bit | bit | - | - | 1/8 |
| Byte | B | - | - | 1 |
| Kilobyte | KB | 10³ | - | 1,000 |
| Kibibyte | KiB | - | 2¹⁰ | 1,024 |
| Megabyte | MB | 10⁶ | - | 1,000,000 |
| Mebibyte | MiB | - | 2²⁰ | 1,048,576 |
| Gigabyte | GB | 10⁹ | - | 1,000,000,000 |
| Gibibyte | GiB | - | 2³⁰ | 1,073,741,824 |
| Terabyte | TB | 10¹² | - | 1,000,000,000,000 |
| Tebibyte | TiB | - | 2⁴⁰ | 1,099,511,627,776 |
Common File Size Examples
| File Type | Typical Size | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Text Document | 50 KB | 50,000 bytes |
| High-Res Photo | 5 MB | 5,000,000 bytes |
| MP3 Song | 4 MB | 4,000,000 bytes |
| HD Movie | 4 GB | 4,000,000,000 bytes |
| Video Game | 50 GB | 50,000,000,000 bytes |
| Operating System | 20 GB | 20,000,000,000 bytes |
| 4K Movie | 100 GB | 100,000,000,000 bytes |
| Data Center | 1 PB | 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes |
Data Storage Technology
💽 Hard Disk Drives
Magnetic storage technology
Advertised in decimal GB/TB
Operating systems show binary GiB/TiB
The "missing space" is normal
Capacity: 500 GB to 20 TB
💾 Solid State Drives
Flash memory technology
Uses NAND flash chips
Faster than HDDs
No moving parts
Capacity: 256 GB to 8 TB
🧠 RAM Memory
Computer working memory
Always uses binary addressing
8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB modules
Volatile (loses data when powered off)
Critical for system performance
Digital Data Applications
📱 Digital Photography
Raw files: 20-50 MB each
JPEG files: 2-10 MB each
4K video: 100-200 MB/minute
Storage planning for photographers
Backup strategy development
🎵 Music Production
Uncompressed audio: 10 MB/minute
Professional recordings: massive files
Project backups: regular planning
Storage for music libraries
Archive management
🎬 Video Production
4K footage: 100-200 GB/hour
Professional editing suites
Multi-camera productions
Post-production storage
Delivery format planning
Network and Internet Speeds
🌐 Broadband Internet
Download speeds: Mbps (megabits/second)
Upload speeds: Mbps
Data caps: GB per month
Streaming quality considerations
Household bandwidth planning
📡 Data Centers
Server storage: petabytes
Backup systems: multiple copies
Cloud storage: exabytes
Big data analytics
Disaster recovery planning
☁️ Cloud Computing
Object storage: exabytes
Database storage: terabytes
Backup as a service
Content delivery networks
Global data distribution
Storage Capacity Planning
🖥️ Personal Computers
Operating system: 20-50 GB
Applications: 50-200 GB
User files: variable
Future growth planning
Backup strategy development
🏢 Business Systems
Email storage: 50-200 GB/user
Database systems: terabytes
File servers: petabytes
Compliance requirements
Retention policies
📱 Mobile Devices
Photos: 1-10 GB
Apps: 5-20 GB
Music: 5-50 GB
Videos: 10-100 GB
Available space management
Why Two Systems Exist
🤝 Marketing Perspective
Decimal system is user-friendly
Easy to understand large numbers
Competitive marketing advantage
Consumer expectations
Industry standardization
⚙️ Technical Perspective
Binary system matches computer architecture
Precise memory addressing
Operating system accuracy
Programming consistency
Technical specifications
🔄 Conversion Solutions
Use decimal for marketing
Use binary for technical work
Clear labeling (KB vs KiB)
Education and transparency
Industry best practices
💾 Storage Tip: Remember that hard drives are advertised in decimal (1 TB = 1,000 GB), but operating systems display storage in binary (1 TB ≈ 931 GB). This is not "missing space" - it's just two different counting systems. Both are correct for their intended use.