Free converter

Data Storage Converter

Enter a size and choose its unit to see it in every other storage unit. Decimal units use 1,000 steps and binary units use 1,024 steps.

By iToolsLab Editorial TeamUpdated 14 October 2026How we build tools

What is data storage converter?

Storage sizes confuse many people because two systems are in use. Drive makers and networks count in steps of 1,000, while some operating systems count in steps of 1,024.

This converter shows both, so you can see why a 500 GB drive appears smaller on your computer and how much data fits in a plan.

How to use the data storage converter

  1. Enter a number.
  2. Choose the unit you have.
  3. Read the value in every other unit.

How the data storage converter works

The value is converted to bytes using the unit size, then divided by the size of each other unit. A kilobyte is 1,000 bytes. A kibibyte is 1,024 bytes. Eight bits make one byte.

Worked example

1 GB equals 1,000 MB, 1,000,000 KB and about 0.931 GiB.

Common uses of the data storage converter

  • Checking drive and phone storage.
  • Estimating download times.
  • Planning cloud storage costs.
  • Comparing data plans.
  • Homework in computer science.

Tips and common mistakes

Internet speeds use bits, file sizes use bytes. Divide megabits by eight for megabytes.

KiB, MiB and GiB are the exact binary names.

Background: what to know before you rely on it

The prefixes kilo, mega and giga come from the metric system and mean one thousand, one million and one billion. Early computers worked in powers of two, so 1,024 was close enough to 1,000 and the same words were reused. That double meaning caused confusion and lawsuits over drive sizes. In 1998 the IEC created the binary prefixes kibi, mebi and gibi for the 1,024 steps. Many tools still mix the two, so it is worth knowing which one a product uses.

Private, free and fast

This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you type or choose is not uploaded to a server and is not saved after you close the page, which keeps it fast and private. It is free to use as often as you like. See more in all converters, or browse the full list of tools.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my 1 TB drive 931 GB?

The maker counts 1 TB as one trillion bytes, while the system shows binary units, so it reads about 931 GiB.

How many MB in a GB?

1,000 in decimal and 1,024 in binary.

What is the difference between MB and Mb?

MB is megabytes and Mb is megabits.

Is a bit smaller than a byte?

Yes. A byte is eight bits.

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Results are for information and education. For legal, financial, medical or security decisions, check with a qualified professional. Check critical conversions with an official source.