Decimal vs. Binary Units
Storage manufacturers typically use decimal units where 1 KB = 1,000 bytes, 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes, and so on — this is why a "1 TB" drive shows less space in an operating system that uses binary counting. Operating systems and memory specs often use binary units instead, where 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes, 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes, etc. This converter supports both systems so you can convert accurately between them.
Formula / Calculation Method
Decimal: 1 KB = 1,000 bytes, 1 MB = 1,000² bytes, and so on.
Binary: 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes, 1 MiB = 1,024² bytes, and so on.
Binary: 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes, 1 MiB = 1,024² bytes, and so on.
How to Use This Tool
- Enter the file size value.
- Choose the unit you're converting from and to.
- Read the converted result — mix decimal and binary units freely.
Common Use Cases
Understanding storage drive capacity vs. advertised size
Estimating download or file transfer time
Comparing cloud storage plans
Converting memory and RAM specifications