Computer Storage Units Converter
Convert between bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and petabytes
Tip: Enter any value to instantly convert between all storage units.
Equivalent Values
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Bits (b) | 8 |
| Bytes (B) | 1 |
| Kilobytes (KB) | 0.001 |
| Megabytes (MB) | 0.000001 |
| Gigabytes (GB) | 0.000000001 |
| Terabytes (TB) | 0.000000000001 |
| Petabytes (PB) | 0.000000000000001 |
Understanding Digital Storage Units
Binary vs Decimal Prefixes
- Binary (IEC): 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes
- Decimal (SI): 1 KB = 1,000 bytes
- Hard drives use decimal (marketing)
- RAM uses binary (actual addressing)
Real-World Examples
- 1 MB = 1 minute of MP3 audio
- 1 GB = ~300 digital photos
- 1 TB = 250,000 photos or 500 hrs video
- 1 PB = 13.3 years of HD video
"A single terabyte can store about 200,000 five-megabyte photos or approximately 310,000 Word documents. The average smartphone today has 64-256GB of storage, while modern laptops typically offer 256GB to 2TB."
Storage Unit Relationships
Basic Units
1 byte = 8 bits - The fundamental building block. A single character (like 'A') typically requires 1 byte of storage. Bits are used for network speeds (Mbps), while bytes are used for storage capacity.
Common Storage
1 KB = 1,024 bytes - A simple text document might be 10-50KB. 1 MB = 1,024 KB - A high-resolution photo might be 2-5MB. 1 GB = 1,024 MB - An HD movie might be 4-8GB.
Large Scale Storage
1 TB = 1,024 GB - Modern hard drives start at this capacity. 1 PB = 1,024 TB - Used by data centers and cloud storage. 1 EB = 1,024 PB - Global monthly internet traffic is measured in exabytes.
Did You Know? All the data in the entire printed collection of the US Library of Congress would amount to about 10-20TB if digitized as plain text, or about 100TB including images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there two different definitions (binary vs decimal)?
Computer scientists originally used powers of 2 (binary) because memory is addressed in binary. Hard drive manufacturers later adopted decimal prefixes (powers of 10) which made capacities appear larger. The IEC standardized binary prefixes (KiB, MiB) in 1998 to resolve confusion.
How much storage do I need for my computer?
For most users: 256GB-512GB is sufficient for basic use. Gamers/photographers: 1TB-2TB. Professionals/videographers: 2TB+. Consider that operating systems need 20-40GB, modern games 50-150GB each, and 4K video about 1GB per minute.
What's the difference between MB and Mb?
MB = megabytes (storage), Mb = megabits (speed). There are 8 bits in 1 byte, so 100Mbps internet speed = 12.5MB/s download speed. Always check capitalization - it changes the meaning completely!
How do I check my actual storage capacity?
On Windows: Right-click drive → Properties. On Mac: Apple menu → About This Mac → Storage. Remember that formatted capacity is always less than advertised due to filesystem overhead and binary/decimal conversion differences.
What comes after petabytes?
The sequence continues: 1 exabyte (EB) = 1,024PB, 1 zettabyte (ZB) = 1,024EB, and 1 yottabyte (YB) = 1,024ZB. As of 2023, global data is estimated at ~100ZB annually, growing rapidly with IoT and AI applications.