| Value 1 | Unit 1 | Value 2 | Unit 2 | Note |
| {y} |
Convert Bytes: Kilobyte (KB), Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB) and Terabyte (TB)
This converter lets you quickly convert computer storage units: byte, kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB), terabyte (TB), as well as binary units (KiB, MiB, GiB…) and bits.
What is a byte?
The byte is the basic unit of information in computing. A byte is made up of 8 bits (a bit being 0 or 1). It is the unit used to express file sizes, the capacity of a hard drive or a USB stick, or the amount of memory (RAM).
How to use the converter?
Select the source unit in the first drop-down list, type the value to convert, then choose the target unit in the second list. The result is displayed automatically. The ↑↓ button swaps the two units in a single click.
Decimal (KB, MB, GB) and binary (KiB, MiB, GiB) units
There are two ways of counting byte multiples, which is a frequent source of confusion:
- The decimal system (SI): each step is 1,000 times the previous one. 1 kilobyte (KB) = 1,000 bytes, 1 megabyte (MB) = 1,000 KB, 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1,000 MB, etc. This is the system used by hard drive manufacturers and ISPs.
- The binary system (IEC): each step is 1,024 times the previous one. 1 kibibyte (KiB) = 1,024 bytes, 1 mebibyte (MiB) = 1,024 KiB, 1 gibibyte (GiB) = 1,024 MiB, etc. This is the system used by operating systems (Windows, for example).
That is why a hard drive sold as "1 TB" is displayed as about 931 GB (actually 931 GiB) by your computer: 1,000,000,000,000 bytes ÷ 1,073,741,824 ≈ 931.
Byte conversion table
| Unit | Value in bytes |
|---|---|
| 1 kilobyte (KB) | 1,000 bytes |
| 1 megabyte (MB) | 1,000,000 bytes |
| 1 gigabyte (GB) | 1,000,000,000 bytes |
| 1 terabyte (TB) | 1,000,000,000,000 bytes |
| 1 kibibyte (KiB) | 1,024 bytes |
| 1 mebibyte (MiB) | 1,048,576 bytes |
| 1 gibibyte (GiB) | 1,073,741,824 bytes |
| 1 byte (B) | 8 bits |
Bytes and bits: don't confuse them
Watch out for the difference between the byte (written "B") and the bit (written "bit" or "b"). Internet speeds are generally expressed in bits per second: a 100 Mbit/s connection can download at most 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5 MB per second. This converter supports both to avoid any errors.
Saving your data
You can save your conversions by clicking the Save button. The recorded results can then be exported in CSV or PDF format.
Frequently asked questions about byte conversion
How many MB in 1 GB?
A gigabyte (GB) contains 1,000 megabytes (MB) in the decimal system. In the binary system, 1 gibibyte (GiB) contains 1,024 mebibytes (MiB).
How many KB in 1 MB?
A megabyte (MB) contains 1,000 kilobytes (KB) in decimal, and a mebibyte (MiB) contains 1,024 kibibytes (KiB) in binary.
Why does my 1 TB hard drive show 931 GB?
The manufacturer counts 1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes (decimal), while your operating system divides by 1,024 at each step (binary). The result is about 931 GiB, displayed as "GB" by the system.
How many bits in a byte?
A byte contains exactly 8 bits. To convert bytes to bits, multiply by 8; for the reverse operation, divide by 8.
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