Data Storage Converter
Enter a data size and convert between bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and petabytes. A toggle lets you switch between the two standard systems: SI (base-1000, where 1 KB = 1,000 bytes) and binary (base-1024, where 1 KiB = 1,024 bytes).
The distinction matters more than most people realize. Hard drive manufacturers use base-1000 (which is why a 1 TB drive shows as about 931 GB in your OS), while operating systems and memory use base-1024. This converter shows you the exact values in both systems so you can avoid confusion.
Useful for storage planning, understanding why your new drive seems smaller than advertised, estimating cloud storage costs, and network bandwidth calculations.
By The Paper Room Editorial Team — Converter Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between KB and KiB?▼
KB (kilobyte) in SI means 1,000 bytes. KiB (kibibyte) means 1,024 bytes. The IEC introduced the KiB/MiB/GiB notation in 1998 to eliminate ambiguity, but many systems still use KB to mean 1,024 bytes. This tool lets you choose which convention you need.
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?▼
Drive manufacturers use base-1000 (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes), but operating systems report in base-1024 (1 TiB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes). A 1 TB drive contains 1 trillion bytes, which is about 931 GiB — so your OS shows roughly 931 GB.
Which system should I use?▼
Use base-1000 (SI) for hard drives, SSDs, network speeds, and anything sold by storage capacity. Use base-1024 (binary) for RAM, file sizes as shown by your OS, and programming contexts. When in doubt, check which convention your context uses.