About the Data Size Converter
What is the Data Size Converter?
Storage and memory are measured in both decimal (1,000) and binary (1,024) units. This data size converter handles both.
It explains why a new drive shows less space than printed on the box.
How to use the Data Size Converter
- Value (sample: 1)
- From (sample: Gigabyte (GB))
- To (sample: Gibibyte (GiB))
- Press Convert (results also refresh as you type). The result card shows the Converted Value, along with Result, Conversion factor and Reverse factor.
Formula used
1 kB = 1,000 bytes; 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes; 1 byte = 8 bits
- SI prefixes = k, M, G, T = powers of 1,000
- IEC prefixes = Ki, Mi, Gi, Ti = powers of 1,024
Worked example
These are the sample values already filled in the calculator above, and the result it returns for them:
| Input | Sample value |
|---|---|
| Value | 1 |
| From | Gigabyte (GB) |
| To | Gibibyte (GiB) |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Converted Value | 0.9313226 GiB |
| Result | 1 GB = 0.931323 GiB |
| Conversion factor | 1 GB = 0.93132257 GiB |
| Reverse factor | 1 GiB = 1.0737418 GB |
Decimal vs binary units
| Decimal (SI) | Bytes | Binary (IEC) | Bytes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kB | 1,000 | 1 KiB | 1,024 |
| 1 MB | 10⁶ | 1 MiB | 1,048,576 |
| 1 GB | 10⁹ | 1 GiB | 1,073,741,824 |
| 1 TB | 10¹² | 1 TiB | 1,099,511,627,776 |
Storage makers use decimal units, while Windows reports sizes in binary units but labels them GB – which is why a "1 TB" drive shows about 931 GB.
Tips for using the Data Size Converter
- Internet speeds are in bits per second (Mbps); file sizes are in bytes (MB). Divide Mbps by 8 for MB/s.
- Expect a 1 TB drive to show about 931 GiB in Windows.