Data Storage Converter – Binary & Decimal
Data Storage Units Explained
Digital storage is measured in bits and bytes. There are two competing standards: binary (IEC), which uses powers of 1024, and decimal (SI), which uses powers of 1000. This difference explains why a "1 TB" hard drive shows less storage in your operating system — OS reports in binary, manufacturers advertise in decimal.
Binary vs Decimal Storage
| Unit | Binary (1024) | Decimal (1000) |
|---|---|---|
| Kilobyte (KB) | 1,024 Bytes | 1,000 Bytes |
| Megabyte (MB) | 1,024 KB = 1,048,576 B | 1,000 KB = 1,000,000 B |
| Gigabyte (GB) | 1,024 MB | 1,000 MB |
| Terabyte (TB) | 1,024 GB | 1,000 GB |
| Petabyte (PB) | 1,024 TB | 1,000 TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many MB are in 1 GB?
In binary (IEC standard), 1 GB = 1024 MB. In decimal (SI standard), 1 GB = 1000 MB. Hard drive manufacturers use the decimal standard, which is why a '1 TB' drive shows as ~931 GB on your computer.
What is the difference between binary and decimal storage units?
Binary uses powers of 1024 (1 KB = 1024 B), defined by IEC as kibibyte (KiB). Decimal uses powers of 1000 (1 KB = 1000 B), used by storage manufacturers. Operating systems typically use binary, causing the apparent discrepancy in drive capacities.
How many GB is 1 TB?
In binary: 1 TB = 1024 GB. In decimal: 1 TB = 1000 GB. A 1 TB hard drive from a manufacturer may show only about 931 GB in Windows, which uses binary calculation.
How many bits are in 1 byte?
There are exactly 8 bits in 1 byte. This is universally consistent in both binary and decimal standards.
What is a Petabyte?
A Petabyte (PB) is 1024 TB (binary) or 1000 TB (decimal). It is used to describe very large data stores — cloud providers and data centres operate at petabyte scale.
Related Calculators
Age Calculator
Find your exact age and days until your next birthday.
Area Converter
Convert between metric, imperial, and Indian area units.
Average Calculator
Calculate mean, median, mode, weighted & moving average.
BMI Calculator
Calculate BMI in metric or imperial units.
BMR Calculator
Find how many calories your body burns at rest.
Body Fat Calculator
Calculate body fat % using the US Navy formula.
CAGR Calculator
Calculate CAGR or future value with year-by-year breakdown.
Calorie Calculator
Find your daily calorie needs and macro split.
CGPA to Percentage Calculator
Convert CGPA to percentage with university formulas.
Compound Interest Calculator
Calculate CI with the A = P(1 + r/n)^nt formula.
