Digital Storage Converter
Our free tech & electronics converter handles digital storage conversions. See tables, ratios, and examples for quick reference.
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator
Formula
Bytes = Value x Base^UnitLevel | Target = Bytes / Base^TargetLevel
Digital storage conversion works by first converting the input value to bytes, then converting from bytes to the target unit. In binary, each level multiplies by 1024 (2 to the power of 10). In decimal, each level multiplies by 1000. The unit levels from smallest to largest are: Bit (1/8 byte), Byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Hard Drive Capacity Comparison
Problem:Convert 2 TB of storage to GB (binary) to understand actual usable space.
Solution:2 TB x 1024 GB/TB = 2048 GB (binary)\nIn decimal: 2 TB = 2000 GB\nDifference: 2048 - 2000 = 48 GB more in binary terms
Result:2 TB = 2,048 GB (binary) or 2,000 GB (decimal)
Example 2: File Download Size
Problem:A file is 750 MB. How many GB is that?
Solution:750 MB / 1024 MB per GB = 0.7324 GB (binary)\n750 MB / 1000 MB per GB = 0.75 GB (decimal)
Result:750 MB = 0.7324 GB (binary) or 0.75 GB (decimal)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between binary and decimal storage units?
Binary storage uses powers of 1024, which is the standard for measuring actual computer memory and file systems. Decimal storage uses powers of 1000, which is the standard manufacturers often use when advertising storage capacity on hard drives and SSDs. This is why a 1 TB hard drive shows about 931 GB in your operating system. The International Electrotechnical Commission introduced KiB, MiB, and GiB for binary units, but the older KB, MB, GB naming is still widely used.
Should I use binary or decimal mode when estimating cloud storage or phone storage plans?
Cloud storage providers such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud, along with phone and camera manufacturers, almost always bill and advertise capacity in decimal (1000-based) units, matching how hard drives are marketed. Your operating system's file browser, however, typically reports file and folder sizes in binary (1024-based) units. This means a '2 TB' cloud plan will show as roughly 1.82 TiB of usable space once your computer displays it, even though no data is missing. When budgeting storage for backups or migrations, convert using decimal mode to match the provider's marketing figures, then mentally expect the operating system to display a slightly smaller number for the same data.
References
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator · Editorial policy