Digital Storage Unit Conversions

Introduction

Digital storage is measured in units like bits, bytes, kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB). Understanding these units and how to convert between them is essential for working with computers, files, and data.

Key Storage Units

• Bit (b): The smallest unit of data (0 or 1).
• Byte (B): 8 bits.
• Kilobyte (KB): 1,024 bytes (binary) or 1,000 bytes (decimal).
• Megabyte (MB): 1,024 KB or 1,000 KB.
• Gigabyte (GB): 1,024 MB or 1,000 MB.
• Terabyte (TB): 1,024 GB or 1,000 GB.

Binary vs Decimal

Computers use binary (base 2), so storage is often measured in powers of 2 (1 KB = 1,024 bytes). However, some manufacturers use decimal (base 10) for marketing (1 KB = 1,000 bytes). Always check which system is being used!

Conversion Table (Binary)

Conversion Table (Decimal)

Example Conversions

• Convert 5 MB to bytes (binary): 5 × 1,024 × 1,024 = 5,242,880 bytes
• Convert 2 GB to MB (decimal): 2 × 1,000 = 2,000 MB
• Convert 10,000 KB to MB (binary): 10,000 ÷ 1,024 = 9.77 MB

Tips

• Always check if the conversion is binary (1,024) or decimal (1,000).
• File sizes on computers are usually binary; storage device sizes (like hard drives) are often decimal.
• Use online converters for large or complex conversions.

FAQ

• Why do my files take up more space than expected? Operating systems use binary, but manufacturers may use decimal, causing apparent discrepancies.
• What is a petabyte (PB) or exabyte (EB)? 1 PB = 1,024 TB; 1 EB = 1,024 PB (binary).