Data Storage Converter
Convert data storage units in binary (KiB, MiB, GiB) and decimal (KB, MB, GB) standards. Includes bits and bytes.
✓ Runs in your browser · Updated 2026-03-31Enter values and click Convert to see results
Binary vs Decimal: Why Your Storage Seems Smaller
Hard drive manufacturers use decimal (base-10) units where 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. However, your computer's operating system uses binary (base-2) units where 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. This is why a "500 GB" hard drive shows only about 465 GiB in your file manager.
| Decimal | Bytes | Binary | Bytes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 KB | 1,000 | 1 KiB | 1,024 |
| 1 MB | 1,000,000 | 1 MiB | 1,048,576 |
| 1 GB | 1,000,000,000 | 1 GiB | 1,073,741,824 |
| 1 TB | 10¹² | 1 TiB | 1,099,511,627,776 |
Common Device Storage in India
- Smartphones: 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB (decimal) — actual usable is less due to OS
- Laptops: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB SSD — often quoted in decimal
- Jio Fiber / Airtel plans: Data limits in GB (decimal)
- SD Cards: 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB — formatted capacity is less (binary)
Bits vs Bytes
Internet speeds are measured in bits per second (Mbps), while file sizes are in bytes. 1 byte = 8 bits. So a 100 Mbps connection downloads at about 12.5 MB/s. This is why downloads feel slower than the advertised speed.
Related Converters
For number systems used in computing, try the Number System Converter. For other unit conversions, explore the Speed Converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my 256 GB drive showing less space?
Storage manufacturers use decimal (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) while your OS uses binary (1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes). So 256 GB advertised ≈ 238 GiB usable.