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Storage Unit Converter

Enter a value in any unit input field, and the system will automatically convert and display the corresponding values for all other units. Use the system switcher to toggle between binary and decimal systems.

Enter Storage Size

Enter a value in any unit input field, and other units will automatically sync and update.

Binary system (1024) is commonly used by operating systems and software displays; Decimal system (1000) is commonly used by storage device vendors for labeled capacity. Select the corresponding system to view all units in that system.

KiB
MiB
GiB
b
B
Enterprise Units
Special Units

Results are for reference only. By using this tool, you agree to the Disclaimer

Usage Instructions

About Storage Unit Converter

Storage Unit Converter is a fast and precise tool for converting between various storage units. It clearly distinguishes between binary (1024) and decimal (1000) systems, helping you understand the difference between KB/KiB, MB/MiB, GB/GiB, and other easily confused units.

Key Features

  • Binary System (1024): KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB, PiB, EiB, ZiB, YiB - commonly used by operating systems and software
  • Decimal System (1000): KB, MB, GB, TB, PB, EB, ZB, YB - commonly used by storage device vendors
  • Neutral Units: Bit, Byte, Nibble
  • System Switching: Toggle between binary, decimal, and show all systems
  • Grouped Display: When showing all, units are grouped by system for easy comparison
  • Tooltips: Explanatory tooltips for easily confused units
  • Real-time Conversion: Instant conversion as you type
  • High Precision: Accurate conversion factors with appropriate decimal precision
  • Privacy Protection: All conversions performed locally in your browser

Binary vs Decimal Systems

Binary System (Base 1024)

The binary system uses powers of 1024:

  • 1 KiB (kibibyte) = 1024 B
  • 1 MiB (mebibyte) = 1024² B = 1,048,576 B
  • 1 GiB (gibibyte) = 1024³ B = 1,073,741,824 B
  • 1 TiB (tebibyte) = 1024⁴ B

Commonly used by: Operating systems, software, memory manufacturers

Decimal System (Base 1000)

The decimal system uses powers of 1000:

  • 1 KB (kilobyte) = 1000 B
  • 1 MB (megabyte) = 1000² B = 1,000,000 B
  • 1 GB (gigabyte) = 1000³ B = 1,000,000,000 B
  • 1 TB (terabyte) = 1000⁴ B

Commonly used by: Storage device vendors, network speeds, marketing materials

Why the Confusion?

The confusion arises because:

  • Storage vendors advertise in decimal (TB), making drives appear larger
  • Operating systems display in binary (TiB), showing less capacity
  • Example: A 1 TB drive shows as ~931 GiB in Windows/Mac

Conversion Standards

Base Unit

All conversions use bit as the base unit. Every unit has a precise conversion factor to bit, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

Precision Rules

  • Values ≥ 1: Display up to 4 decimal places, automatically removing trailing zeros
  • Values < 1: Use adaptive significant digits (up to 6 significant digits)
  • Very Large Values: Automatically switch to scientific notation

Use Cases

  • Understanding Storage Capacity: Convert between vendor-advertised capacity and OS-displayed capacity
  • System Administration: Convert between binary and decimal units when managing storage
  • Education: Learn and understand the difference between binary and decimal storage units
  • Development: Convert storage units in programming and system design
  • Data Analysis: Convert storage units for data analysis and reporting

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between KB and KiB?

A: KB (kilobyte) uses decimal, 1 KB = 1000 B; KiB (kibibyte) uses binary, 1 KiB = 1024 B. This is the most common point of confusion in storage unit conversion.

Q: Why does my hard drive show a different capacity than the labeled capacity?

A: Hard drive vendors use decimal (TB), while operating systems display using binary (TiB). For example, a drive labeled 1 TB will show approximately 931 GiB in the operating system.

Q: How do I reset all inputs?

A: Click the "Reset" button (rotating arrow icon) in the top-right corner of the input area to clear all input data and restore to the initial state.

Q: Is data automatically saved? Will it be lost when refreshing the page?

A: Yes, input data is automatically saved to browser local storage. Refreshing the page won't cause data loss, and you can continue editing previously entered content. Data is automatically saved about 400ms after you stop typing.