Data Size Converter – MB, GB, TB, Binary & Decimal Units
Convert MB to GB, TB, bytes, and binary units (MiB, GiB, TiB) instantly. Used by IT pros, cloud engineers & students. Free, no sign-up, precise to 15 decimals.
Updated for 2026
By the GlobalCalqulate team, founded by Pavan Kusunuri · About our editorial standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions to help you use this calculator confidently.
What is a data size converter?
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What is a data size converter?
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A data size converter instantly transforms digital storage measurements between units (bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB). Essential for file transfers, cloud storage planning, download estimates, and understanding bandwidth. Handles both decimal (base-10: KB/MB/GB) and binary (base-2: KiB/MiB/GiB) standards.
What is the difference between KB, MB, GB, and TB?
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What is the difference between KB, MB, GB, and TB?
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Decimal units follow base-10: 1 KB = 1,000 bytes; 1 MB = 1,000 KB; 1 GB = 1,000 MB; 1 TB = 1,000 GB. These are standard marketing units. Binary units follow base-2: 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes; 1 MiB = 1,024 KiB. Computers often use binary internally, creating apparent storage discrepancies.
What is the difference between KB and KiB (MB vs MiB, GB vs GiB)?
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What is the difference between KB and KiB (MB vs MiB, GB vs GiB)?
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KB/MB/GB are decimal units (base-10), while KiB/MiB/GiB are binary units (base-2). 1 KB = 1,000 bytes; 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes. Same with MB/MiB and GB/GiB. This 2.4% difference compounds: 1 TB disk shows as ~931 GiB because manufacturers use decimal, OSes display binary.
Why does my 1 TB hard drive show only about 931 GB?
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Why does my 1 TB hard drive show only about 931 GB?
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Storage manufacturers advertise capacity in decimal units (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes). Operating systems display storage using binary interpretation (1 TiB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes). Converting: 1 TB ≈ 0.91 TiB (~931 GiB). Completely normal; drive not defective—just unit system mismatch.
How many bytes are in a gigabyte?
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How many bytes are in a gigabyte?
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Decimal: 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Binary: 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. Choose based on context: network providers & storage brands use GB (decimal). Operating systems & technical documentation use GiB (binary). Always verify the unit system in specs.
Is 1 MB equal to 1,024 KB or 1,000 KB?
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Is 1 MB equal to 1,024 KB or 1,000 KB?
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Both are correct depending on the system. Decimal (SI standard): 1 MB = 1,000 KB. Binary (computer memory): 1 MiB = 1,024 KiB. Confusion: many websites incorrectly mix systems. High-quality tools should clearly separate MB vs MiB to prevent miscalculations.
Does this converter support binary units like GiB and TiB?
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Does this converter support binary units like GiB and TiB?
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Yes. A reliable converter must support both decimal (KB/MB/GB/TB) and binary (KiB/MiB/GiB/TiB) units. Binary is critical for accurate RAM calculations, storage sizing, and technical documentation. Always check converter unit support before trusting results.
What is the difference between bits and bytes?
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What is the difference between bits and bytes?
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1 byte (B) = 8 bits (b). Internet speed measured in bits per second (Mbps/Gbps). File sizes measured in bytes (MB/GB). 100 Mbps internet speed ≈ 12.5 MB/s maximum download rate (100 ÷ 8). This unit confusion is why downloads feel slower than advertised speed.
Why is my download speed in Mbps but file size in MB?
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Why is my download speed in Mbps but file size in MB?
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Internet speeds use bits per second (Mbps), files use bytes (MB). Since 1 byte = 8 bits: MB/s ≈ Mbps ÷ 8. Example: 200 Mbps speed = ~25 MB/s theoretical download. Real speed lower due to network overhead & server limits. Convert using this tool to estimate actual download times.
How do I convert Mbps to MB/s?
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How do I convert Mbps to MB/s?
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Divide Mbps by 8 to get MB/s. Example: 160 Mbps = 20 MB/s theoretical. Example: 100 Mbps = 12.5 MB/s. Most users assume 100 Mbps = 100 MB/s—that's incorrect. This conversion explains why your 'fast' internet downloads files slowly.
How many MB in a GB?
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How many MB in a GB?
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Decimal (most common): 1 GB = 1,000 MB. Binary (technical accuracy): 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB. Storage manufacturers use decimal; computers display binary. This difference compounds: 1 TB decimal = 1,000 GB, but appears as 931 GiB on disk (1,000 ÷ 1.024).
How many GB in a TB?
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How many GB in a TB?
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Decimal: 1 TB = 1,000 GB. Binary: 1 TiB = 1,024 GiB. Cloud providers charge per decimal GB; your computer counts binary GiB. A 1 TB cloud backup shows ~931 GiB locally. Always convert when comparing advertised vs. Actual storage capacity.
How many bytes in a megabyte?
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How many bytes in a megabyte?
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Decimal: 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes. Binary: 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes. Difference: ~4.8%. Developers need this conversion for buffer allocation, file uploads/downloads, API payload sizing. Always use converter to verify byte-level calculations.
Is this data size converter accurate?
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Is this data size converter accurate?
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Yes. Uses internationally standardized decimal (SI: 1000-base) and binary (IEC: 1024-base) conversion ratios. Accurate for cloud storage estimation, file sizing, bandwidth calculations, memory allocations, and download time predictions.
Which unit system should I use: decimal or binary?
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Which unit system should I use: decimal or binary?
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Decimal (KB/MB/GB) for cloud storage plans, internet providers, storage manufacturers. Binary (KiB/MiB/GiB) for OS display, RAM, databases, technical specs. When unclear: storage companies typically mean decimal; computers display binary. Check unit base (1000 vs 1024).
How much data is in a 4K video file?
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How much data is in a 4K video file?
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4K video (2160p): 25-100 GB per hour depending on codec & compression. Standard: H.265 codec ≈ 25-35 GB/hr. H.264 ≈ 50-100 GB/hr. Streaming (Netflix 4K) ≈ 15 GB/hr (lower bitrate). Convert using this tool to estimate storage needed for video libraries.
What is the ideal file size for uploading videos online?
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What is the ideal file size for uploading videos online?
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YouTube: max 256 GB per file. Recommended: compress to 5-8 GB for 1-hour video (H.265 codec). TikTok: max 500 MB. Instagram: max 4 GB. Smaller file = faster upload, less bandwidth. Use converter to estimate upload time: File Size (MB) ÷ Upload Speed (MB/s) = Time.
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