# Data Storage Converter

Free data storage converter. Convert between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and petabytes in both binary (1024) and decimal (1000).

## What this calculates

Convert between data storage units including bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and petabytes. Choose between binary (1024-based) and decimal (1000-based) standards.

## Inputs

- **Value** — min 0
- **From** — options: Bytes (B), Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB), Terabytes (TB), Petabytes (PB)
- **To** — options: Bytes (B), Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB), Terabytes (TB), Petabytes (PB)
- **Standard** — options: Binary (1 KB = 1,024 B), Decimal (1 KB = 1,000 B) — Binary (base-2) is used by operating systems. Decimal (base-10) is used by storage manufacturers.

## Outputs

- **Result** — The converted data storage value.
- **Conversion** — formatted as text — Step-by-step conversion explanation.
- **Binary Equivalent** — formatted as text — Value using binary (1024-based) units.
- **Decimal Equivalent** — formatted as text — Value using decimal (1000-based) units.

## Details

Data storage conversion can be confusing because two different standards exist: binary and decimal. Operating systems typically use binary (base-2), while storage manufacturers use decimal (base-10).

Binary Standard (Base-2)

- 1 KB = 1,024 bytes

- 1 MB = 1,024 KB = 1,048,576 bytes

- 1 GB = 1,024 MB = 1,073,741,824 bytes

- 1 TB = 1,024 GB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes

- 1 PB = 1,024 TB

Decimal Standard (Base-10)

- 1 KB = 1,000 bytes

- 1 MB = 1,000 KB = 1,000,000 bytes

- 1 GB = 1,000 MB = 1,000,000,000 bytes

- 1 TB = 1,000 GB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes

- 1 PB = 1,000 TB

This difference explains why a "1 TB" hard drive shows as about 931 GB in your operating system: the manufacturer uses decimal (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes) but your OS displays in binary (dividing by 1,073,741,824).

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Why does my 1 TB drive show as 931 GB?**

A: Storage manufacturers define 1 TB as 1,000,000,000,000 bytes (decimal/base-10). Your operating system displays storage using binary units where 1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. So 1,000,000,000,000 / 1,073,741,824 = 931.32 GB. You are not missing any storage.

**Q: What is the difference between binary and decimal storage units?**

A: Binary units use powers of 1,024 (2^10), while decimal units use powers of 1,000. The IEC introduced unambiguous names: KiB (kibibyte = 1,024 B), MiB (mebibyte), GiB (gibibyte), etc. However, KB/MB/GB are still commonly used for both meanings depending on context.

**Q: How many megabytes are in a gigabyte?**

A: In binary: 1 GB = 1,024 MB. In decimal: 1 GB = 1,000 MB. When your operating system reports file sizes, it typically uses binary. When ISPs advertise speeds, they typically use decimal.

**Q: What is a petabyte?**

A: A petabyte is 1,024 terabytes (binary) or 1,000 terabytes (decimal). In binary, that is 1,125,899,906,842,624 bytes. To put it in perspective, 1 PB could store approximately 500 billion pages of text, or about 13.3 years of continuous HD video.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/technology/data-storage-converter
Category: Technology
Last updated: 2026-04-21