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Data Storage Converter

Popular Data Storage unit conversions

Data Storage Converter — Convert Bits, Bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB & More

Our free online Data Storage Converter lets you instantly convert between 40+ units of digital data storage — from bits and bytes to kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, petabytes, and exabytes. Whether you need to convert bytes to megabytes, GB to TB, kilobits to kilobytes, or compare storage across floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs, this tool delivers instant and accurate results.

Digital data is measured in bits (binary digits) and bytes (8 bits). Two naming conventions exist — binary (powers of 2) and decimal (powers of 10):

  • Binary prefixes (IEC): 1 kibibyte (KiB) = 1,024 bytes; 1 mebibyte (MiB) = 1,048,576 bytes
  • Decimal prefixes (SI): 1 kilobyte (KB) = 1,000 bytes; 1 megabyte (MB) = 1,000,000 bytes
  • Common units: bit (b), nibble (4 bits), byte (B), kilobyte (kB), megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB), terabyte (TB), petabyte (PB), exabyte (EB)
  • Historical media: floppy disk (3.5" HD = 1.44 MB), CD (650–700 MB), DVD (4.7–17 GB)

This converter supports both binary (1 KB = 1,024 bytes) and decimal (1 KB = 1,000 bytes) conventions, making it reliable for computing, networking, storage planning, and data management.

Common Data Storage Conversion Reference

Here are the most frequently used data storage conversions for quick reference:

  • 1 byte = 8 bits = 2 nibbles
  • 1 kilobyte (KB, binary) = 1,024 bytes = 8,192 bits
  • 1 megabyte (MB, binary) = 1,024 KB = 1,048,576 bytes = 8,388,608 bits
  • 1 gigabyte (GB, binary) = 1,024 MB = 1,073,741,824 bytes
  • 1 terabyte (TB, binary) = 1,024 GB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes
  • 1 petabyte (PB) = 1,024 TB = 1,125,899,906,842,624 bytes
  • 1 CD (74 min) ≈ 650 MB; 1 DVD (1 layer, 1 side) ≈ 4.7 GB
  • 1 kilobyte (SI/decimal) = 1,000 bytes; 1 megabyte (SI) = 1,000,000 bytes

Frequently Asked Questions — Data Storage Converter

Question: How do I use the Data Storage Converter?

Answer: Select the unit you are converting from in the left list and the unit to convert to in the right list, then type your value. The result appears instantly across all listed units.

Question: How many bytes are in a megabyte?

Answer: In binary (IEC standard, used by operating systems): 1 megabyte = 1,048,576 bytes (2²⁰). In decimal (SI standard, used by hard drive manufacturers): 1 megabyte = 1,000,000 bytes. This discrepancy explains why a "1 TB" hard drive shows only ~931 GB in Windows.

Question: What is the difference between a bit and a byte?

Answer: A bit (b) is the smallest unit of digital information — a single binary value of 0 or 1. A byte (B) contains 8 bits and can represent 256 different values (0–255). Data transfer speeds are typically measured in bits per second (Mbps), while storage is measured in bytes (MB, GB).

Question: How many MB is 1 GB?

Answer: In binary: 1 GB = 1,024 MB. In decimal (SI): 1 GB = 1,000 MB. Most operating systems use binary, so your 64 GB phone will show slightly less than 64,000 MB when formatted. Hard drive manufacturers use decimal, making drives appear slightly larger on the box than the OS shows.

Question: What is a nibble?

Answer: A nibble is 4 bits (half a byte). It can represent 16 values (0–15) and corresponds to one hexadecimal digit. The term is a play on words — a nibble is half a bite (byte).

Question: What is the difference between kilobyte (KB) and kilobit (kb)?

Answer: A kilobyte (KB) equals 1,024 bytes or 8,192 bits. A kilobit (kb or Kb) equals 1,024 bits (binary) or 1,000 bits (decimal). Network speeds are often quoted in kilobits per second (kbps) while file sizes use kilobytes (KB).

Question: How much data does a DVD hold?

Answer: A single-layer, single-side DVD holds approximately 4.7 GB (about 40,372,692,582 bits in this converter). A dual-layer, single-side DVD holds about 8.5 GB. A dual-layer, dual-side DVD can hold approximately 17 GB.

Question: What is a petabyte?

Answer: A petabyte (PB) equals 1,024 terabytes or approximately 1,125,899,906,842,624 bytes in binary. In decimal, 1 petabyte = 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes. Large data centers and cloud providers store data measured in petabytes and exabytes.

Question: How accurate are the data storage conversions in this tool?

Answer: All conversions use binary (powers of 2) definitions matching how operating systems report storage, with up to 12 significant digits of precision, suitable for computing, networking, data management, and IT planning.