Unit Converters
Data Storage Converter
Convert data storage units: bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB, and more. Perfect for understanding file sizes, storage capacity, download sizes, and data usage. Supports both decimal and binary units.
Use Data Storage Converter to get instant results without uploads or sign-ups. Everything runs securely in your browser for fast, reliable output.
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About this tool
Data storage conversion is essential in our digital world. Whether you're buying a hard drive, understanding cloud storage limits, estimating download times, managing server capacity, or simply wondering how many photos fit on your device, converting between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes helps you make informed decisions.
Understanding data units prevents confusion. A kilobyte (KB) is 1,000 bytes, a megabyte (MB) is 1,000 KB, a gigabyte (GB) is 1,000 MB, and a terabyte (TB) is 1,000 GB (in decimal system). Storage manufacturers typically use decimal, while operating systems sometimes use binary (1024-based). Our converter uses the standard decimal system (base 10) used by storage manufacturers.
Data conversion is crucial for many tasks: choosing the right storage device (256GB vs. 512GB phone), understanding Netflix data usage (HD vs. 4K streaming), calculating backup storage needs, comparing cloud storage plans (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud), estimating how many photos/videos fit on an SD card, and managing database sizes for businesses.
The converter is especially valuable for tech professionals managing servers and databases, consumers shopping for devices and storage, photographers and videographers planning storage needs, IT departments budgeting for infrastructure, and anyone trying to understand data caps, download quotas, or file transfer sizes. Quick conversions clarify storage requirements.
Usage examples
Phone Storage
Convert 128 GB phone storage to megabytes
128 GB = 128,000 megabytes (MB)
File Download
Convert 4.7 GB movie to megabytes
4.7 GB = 4,700 megabytes (MB)
Server Storage
Convert 2 TB hard drive to gigabytes
2 TB = 2,000 gigabytes (GB)
Photo Size
Convert 5 MB photo to kilobytes
5 MB = 5,000 kilobytes (KB)
Enterprise Storage
Convert 5 PB data center storage to terabytes
5 PB = 5,000 terabytes (TB)
How to use
- Enter the data storage value you want to convert.
- Select the unit you're converting FROM (e.g., gigabytes).
- Select the unit you're converting TO (e.g., megabytes).
- Click "Convert" to see the result instantly.
- The converter uses decimal (base 10) system by default.
- Use for understanding file sizes, storage needs, and data transfer amounts.
Benefits
- Convert between all standard data storage units instantly
- Understand file sizes and storage capacity clearly
- Essential for buying storage devices and cloud plans
- Helps estimate how many files fit on storage media
- Useful for managing data usage and download quotas
- Perfect for IT professionals and system administrators
- Clarifies data transfer sizes and bandwidth requirements
- Free alternative to manual data conversion calculations
- Educational tool for understanding digital storage
- Prevents overpaying for unnecessary storage capacity
- Helps photographers and videographers plan storage needs
- Supports tiny (bytes) to massive (petabytes) data sizes
FAQs
What's the difference between KB, MB, GB, and TB?
These are increasingly larger units: 1 KB (kilobyte) = 1,000 bytes, 1 MB (megabyte) = 1,000 KB, 1 GB (gigabyte) = 1,000 MB, 1 TB (terabyte) = 1,000 GB. Each step is 1,000 times larger. A typical song is 5 MB, a movie is 5 GB, and a hard drive might be 1-2 TB.
Why does my 1 TB drive show less than 1,000 GB?
Storage manufacturers use decimal (1 TB = 1,000 GB), but operating systems use binary (1 TiB = 1,024 GiB). A "1 TB" drive is 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, which equals about 931 GiB in binary. Also, some space is used for formatting and system files. This is normal and not false advertising.
What's the difference between GB and GiB?
GB (gigabyte) uses decimal (1 GB = 1,000 MB = 1 billion bytes). GiB (gibibyte) uses binary (1 GiB = 1,024 MiB). 1 GiB = 1.074 GB. Storage manufacturers use GB, while operating systems historically used binary but displayed it as "GB". Modern systems are starting to use proper GiB notation.
How many photos or videos fit in 1 GB?
It varies greatly: 1 GB holds roughly 500 photos (at 2 MB each from smartphone) or 250 photos (at 4 MB from DSLR) or 1 minute of 4K video (at 1 GB/min) or 5 minutes of 1080p video or 500 songs (at 2 MB each). Higher quality means larger files and fewer items per GB.
How much storage do I need for my device?
It depends on usage: 64 GB is enough for light users (few apps, streaming content). 128 GB works for most people (moderate photos/videos). 256 GB is for heavy users (lots of photos, videos, games). 512 GB+ is for professionals, content creators, or those who travel frequently without cloud access.
What size is a typical file or app?
Document: 100 KB - 10 MB. MP3 song: 3-5 MB. Photo: 2-10 MB. App: 50-500 MB (some games are 1-10 GB). HD movie: 3-5 GB. 4K movie: 10-25 GB. Operating system: 15-50 GB. AAA video game: 50-150 GB. These are approximate—actual sizes vary.
How long does it take to download X gigabytes?
Depends on internet speed. With 100 Mbps (megabits per second), 1 GB takes about 80 seconds (divide GB by 0.0125 × speed). With 25 Mbps: 5.3 minutes per GB. With 1 Gbps: 8 seconds per GB. Note: Mbps (megabits) ≠ MB (megabytes); 8 Mbps = 1 MB/s download speed.
Is cloud storage cheaper than physical storage?
It depends on your needs. Physical storage has one-time costs (e.g., $50 for 1 TB external drive). Cloud storage has recurring fees (e.g., $2-10/month for 100 GB - 2 TB). Cloud offers accessibility from anywhere and automatic backup, while physical storage offers offline access and no monthly fees. Many people use both.
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