How to Use the Storage Converter
- Input a Size: Enter the amount of data (e.g., 500) in the GB field.
- Get Conversion: Instantly see how many MB that is (512,000 MB) or how many TB it is (0.488 TB).
- Compare: Useful for checking if a file will fit on a flash drive or hard disk.
The Great Confusion: 1000 vs 1024
Why does your "1 Terabyte" hard drive only show up as "931 Gigabytes" on your computer? The answer lies in how we count.
Decimal (Base-10)
Used by Hard Drive Manufacturers (and SI units).
They count in powers of 10.
- 1 KB = 1,000 Bytes
- 1 MB = 1,000,000 Bytes
- 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 Bytes
Binary (Base-2)
Used by Windows Operating System.
They count in powers of 2.
- 1 KB = 1,024 Bytes
- 1 MB = 1,048,576 Bytes
- 1 GB = 1,073,741,824 Bytes
Which one does this tool use?
This tool uses the standard Binary (1024) system, as this is what is most practical for file sizes on computers.
Real-World Reference Info
How much space do things actually take up?
- Typical Photo (JPEG): 3 MB - 5 MB
- MP3 Song (High Quality): ~8 MB - 10 MB
- HD Movie (Streamed): ~3 GB - 5 GB per hour
- Modern PC Game: 50 GB - 150 GB