Data Converter - Bits, Bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB & More
Use our free Data Converter to convert digital data units quickly and accurately. Convert bits, bytes, kilobits, kilobytes, megabits, megabytes, gigabits, gigabytes, terabytes, petabytes and binary IEC units such as KiB, MiB, GiB and TiB.
This online data unit converter is useful for calculating file sizes, computer storage, hard drive capacity, memory, digital data quantities and data-related measurements. It also helps explain common conversions between decimal SI units and binary IEC units.
What Is a Data Converter?
A data converter is an online tool used to change a digital data quantity from one unit to another. Common data units include bits, bytes, kilobits, kilobytes, megabits, megabytes, gigabits, gigabytes and terabytes.
Data conversion is frequently required when comparing internet speeds, computer memory, storage devices, cloud storage limits, file sizes and network bandwidth.
Smart Unit Calc supports both decimal SI data units and binary IEC data units, making it easier to understand differences such as KB versus KiB and GB versus GiB.
Supported Data Units
| Unit | Symbol | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Bit | bit | Base digital information unit |
| Byte | B | 8 bits |
| Kilobit | kbit | 1,000 bits |
| Megabit | Mbit | 1,000,000 bits |
| Gigabit | Gbit | 1,000,000,000 bits |
| Terabit | Tbit | 1,000,000,000,000 bits |
| Kilobyte | kB | 1,000 bytes |
| Megabyte | MB | 1,000,000 bytes |
| Gigabyte | GB | 1,000,000,000 bytes |
| Terabyte | TB | 1,000,000,000,000 bytes |
| Petabyte | PB | 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes |
| Kibibyte | KiB | 1,024 bytes |
| Mebibyte | MiB | 1,048,576 bytes |
| Gibibyte | GiB | 1,073,741,824 bytes |
| Tebibyte | TiB | 1,099,511,627,776 bytes |
Bits to Bytes Conversion
A byte contains 8 bits. Therefore, converting bits to bytes requires dividing the number of bits by 8.
For example:
Bytes to Bits Conversion
To convert bytes into bits, multiply the number of bytes by 8.
For example:
Decimal Data Units vs Binary Data Units
One of the most common sources of confusion in data conversion is the difference between decimal SI units and binary IEC units.
Decimal units use powers of 1,000, while binary IEC units use powers of 1,024.
| Decimal Unit | Decimal Value | Binary Unit | Binary Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 KB | 1,000 bytes | 1 KiB | 1,024 bytes |
| 1 MB | 1,000,000 bytes | 1 MiB | 1,048,576 bytes |
| 1 GB | 1,000,000,000 bytes | 1 GiB | 1,073,741,824 bytes |
| 1 TB | 1,000,000,000,000 bytes | 1 TiB | 1,099,511,627,776 bytes |
KB to MB Conversion
Under the decimal SI convention, 1 MB equals 1,000 KB. Therefore, to convert KB to MB:
Example: 5,000 KB = 5 MB.
MB to GB Conversion
In the decimal system, 1 GB equals 1,000 MB.
Example: 2,500 MB = 2.5 GB.
GB to TB Conversion
Decimal data conversion uses 1,000 GB per TB.
Example: 3,000 GB = 3 TB.
GB to GiB Conversion
GB and GiB use different definitions. A decimal gigabyte contains exactly 1,000,000,000 bytes, while a gibibyte contains 1,073,741,824 bytes.
Therefore, 1 GB is approximately 0.931323 GiB.
Data Conversion Chart
| Decimal Unit | Bytes |
|---|---|
| 1 Byte | 1 |
| 1 KB | 1,000 |
| 1 MB | 1,000,000 |
| 1 GB | 1,000,000,000 |
| 1 TB | 1,000,000,000,000 |
| 1 PB | 1,000,000,000,000,000 |
Common Data Conversion Examples
| Conversion | Result |
|---|---|
| 8 bits to bytes | 1 byte |
| 1,000 bytes to KB | 1 KB |
| 1,000 KB to MB | 1 MB |
| 1,000 MB to GB | 1 GB |
| 1,000 GB to TB | 1 TB |
| 1,024 bytes to KiB | 1 KiB |
| 1,024 KiB to MiB | 1 MiB |
| 1,024 MiB to GiB | 1 GiB |
Data Converter for File Sizes
A data converter is useful when comparing file sizes. Computer files may be displayed using bytes, KB, MB, GB or other units depending on the operating system, application or storage manufacturer.
For example, a video file may be listed as 2 GB, while a computer may display its size using a binary-based measurement. Understanding the underlying number of bytes helps explain why displayed storage values can differ.
Data Converter for Storage
Storage devices such as SSDs, HDDs, USB drives and memory cards commonly use decimal capacity specifications. A manufacturer may advertise a drive using GB or TB based on decimal definitions.
Operating systems may display storage using different terminology or calculations. This can result in a capacity appearing smaller than the advertised decimal capacity.
Bits, Bytes and Internet Speed
Internet service providers commonly advertise connection speeds in bits per second, such as Mbps or Gbps. File sizes, however, are generally expressed in bytes.
Since one byte contains eight bits:
For example, a 100 Mbps connection has a theoretical decimal equivalent of 12.5 MB/s before protocol overhead, network conditions and other factors.
Where Data Conversion Is Used
- Computer storage calculations
- Hard drive and SSD capacity comparisons
- USB and memory card capacity
- File size calculations
- Cloud storage planning
- Internet bandwidth calculations
- Network engineering
- Server and data-center storage
- Database storage planning
- Video and media file management
- Software and application downloads
- Backup storage calculations
How to Use the Data Converter
- Enter the data value you want to convert.
- Select the original data unit.
- Select the unit you want to convert to.
- Click Convert.
- Use Swap Units to reverse the conversion.
- Use Copy Result to copy the calculated result.
- Use Reset to return the converter to its default state.
Accuracy and Data Conversion Standards
This calculator uses exact decimal and binary definitions for the supported units. Decimal SI units are based on powers of 1,000, while binary IEC units are based on powers of 1,024.
Always check whether a specification uses decimal units such as KB, MB, GB and TB or binary units such as KiB, MiB, GiB and TiB before comparing values.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bits are in one byte?
One byte contains exactly 8 bits.
What is the difference between GB and GiB?
GB is a decimal unit equal to 1,000,000,000 bytes. GiB is a binary IEC unit equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes.
How many bytes are in 1 KB?
Using the decimal SI definition, 1 KB equals 1,000 bytes.
How many bytes are in 1 KiB?
1 KiB equals 1,024 bytes.
How do I convert Mbps to MB/s?
Divide Mbps by 8 when converting between equivalent decimal data-rate conventions. For example, 80 Mbps equals 10 MB/s theoretically.
Is a byte bigger than a bit?
Yes. One byte consists of 8 bits.
What is the difference between MB and MiB?
MB is a decimal unit equal to 1,000,000 bytes, while MiB is a binary unit equal to 1,048,576 bytes.
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?
Storage manufacturers commonly use decimal capacity units. Operating systems may display capacity using binary calculations or different unit labels, creating an apparent difference.