File Size Converter

Convert file sizes between bits, bytes, decimal storage units, and binary storage units instantly.

How to Use

  1. Enter a file size value.
  2. Select the source unit.
  3. Choose decimal (SI), binary (IEC), or show both.
  4. Review the converted results and open “Show Work” for steps.
Conversion View
Compare decimal and binary storage units side by side.
Input
—
Bytes
—
Bits
—
Standard
—

Decimal Units (SI)

Base 10
Bits—
Bytes—
Kilobytes (KB)—
Megabytes (MB)—
Gigabytes (GB)—
Terabytes (TB)—
Petabytes (PB)—

Binary Units (IEC)

Base 2
Bits—
Bytes—
Kibibytes (KiB)—
Mebibytes (MiB)—
Gibibytes (GiB)—
Tebibytes (TiB)—
Pebibytes (PiB)—
Decimal units use powers of 1000. Binary units use powers of 1024.
Inputs & Settings
Enter a value and choose the starting storage unit.
Supports decimals for accurate conversions.
4
Controls how many decimal places are shown in converted values.
Show Work (step-by-step)
—
Work shows the normalization into bytes first, then conversions into decimal and binary units.

Reference

Quick answer: decimal units use powers of 1000, while binary units use powers of 1024.

That is why 1 MB is not the same as 1 MiB.

Unit Type Name Symbol Bytes
Decimal Kilobyte KB 1,000
Decimal Megabyte MB 1,000,000
Decimal Gigabyte GB 1,000,000,000
Binary Kibibyte KiB 1,024
Binary Mebibyte MiB 1,048,576
Binary Gibibyte GiB 1,073,741,824
Storage manufacturers often use decimal units. Operating systems and technical tools often display binary values.

FAQ

What is the difference between MB and MiB?

MB means megabyte and uses base 10, so 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes. MiB means mebibyte and uses base 2, so 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes.

Why does my drive show less usable space than advertised?

Manufacturers usually label storage with decimal units, while many systems report size using binary conversions, so the displayed value can appear smaller.

How many bits are in one byte?

There are 8 bits in 1 byte.

Should I use decimal or binary?

Use decimal for drive marketing, transfer specs, and many storage product listings. Use binary for memory, operating system reporting, and technical analysis where IEC units matter.

Tool Info

Last updated:

Updates may include unit support, formatting improvements, precision controls, and share-state handling.