Data Unit Converter
Convert between data units: bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB and binary equivalents KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB. SI and IEC standards.
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How the Data Unit Converter Works
This tool converts between digital data units of measurement, correctly distinguishing between decimal (SI) and binary (IEC) standards -- a fundamental distinction that often causes confusion.
The KB vs KiB Confusion
In 1998, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) introduced binary prefixes to eliminate a historical ambiguity:
| SI Standard (decimal, x1000) | IEC Standard (binary, x1024) |
|---|
| 1 KB = 1,000 bytes | 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes |
| 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes | 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes |
| 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes | 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes |
Why does it matter? A "500 GB" hard drive (500 billion bytes in decimal) is shown by Windows as about 465 GiB (labeled "GB"), creating the false impression of missing space.
Bit vs Byte: The Key Difference
The bit (lowercase b) is the elementary unit: 0 or 1. The byte (uppercase B) groups 8 bits. Internet speeds are measured in bits/s (Mbps), while file sizes are in bytes (MB). A 100 Mbps connection transfers about 12.5 MB/s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between KB and KiB?▼
1 KB (kilobyte, SI/decimal standard) = 1,000 bytes, while 1 KiB (kibibyte, IEC/binary standard) = 1,024 bytes. The difference is 2.4%. This distinction was introduced by the IEC in 1998 to eliminate ambiguity.
Why does a 1 TB hard drive show less space?▼
Drive manufacturers use the SI standard: 1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. But Windows uses the binary factor (1024): it divides by 1024 to the 4th power and shows about 931 GiB, labeling them "GB." The space is correct, just the unit differs.
What is the difference between bit and byte?▼
1 byte = 8 bits. The bit is the minimum unit of information (0 or 1). Network speeds are measured in bits/s (Mbps), file sizes in bytes (MB). A 100 Mbps connection transfers about 12.5 MB/s.
