File Size Converter
Convert between different file size units (KB, MB, GB, TB, etc.).
Binary Units (1024-based)
Used by operating systems| Bytes | - |
| Kibibytes (KiB) | - |
| Mebibytes (MiB) | - |
| Gibibytes (GiB) | - |
| Tebibytes (TiB) | - |
| Pebibytes (PiB) | - |
Decimal Units (1000-based) Used by storage manufacturers
| Bytes | - |
| Kilobytes (KB) | - |
| Megabytes (MB) | - |
| Gigabytes (GB) | - |
| Terabytes (TB) | - |
| Petabytes (PB) | - |
Bits Used for network speeds
| Bits | - |
| Kilobits (Kb) | - |
| Megabits (Mb) | - |
| Gigabits (Gb) | - |
-
Understanding File Sizes
| Binary (IEC) | Value | Decimal (SI) | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 KiB | 1,024 bytes | 1 KB | 1,000 bytes |
| 1 MiB | 1,048,576 bytes | 1 MB | 1,000,000 bytes |
| 1 GiB | 1,073,741,824 bytes | 1 GB | 1,000,000,000 bytes |
| 1 TiB | 1,099,511,627,776 bytes | 1 TB | 1,000,000,000,000 bytes |
What Is File Size Conversion?
File size conversion translates digital storage measurements between different units — from bytes to kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and beyond. Understanding file sizes is essential for developers managing storage, bandwidth, upload limits, and data transfer in applications.
Binary vs Decimal Units
There are two systems for measuring file sizes, which often causes confusion:
| Decimal (SI) | Value | Binary (IEC) | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Kilobyte (KB) | 1,000 bytes | 1 Kibibyte (KiB) | 1,024 bytes |
| 1 Megabyte (MB) | 1,000,000 bytes | 1 Mebibyte (MiB) | 1,048,576 bytes |
| 1 Gigabyte (GB) | 1,000,000,000 bytes | 1 Gibibyte (GiB) | 1,073,741,824 bytes |
| 1 Terabyte (TB) | 1012 bytes | 1 Tebibyte (TiB) | 240 bytes |
Hard drive manufacturers use decimal (SI) units, which is why a "500 GB" drive shows as ~465 GiB in your operating system (which uses binary units). This discrepancy is not missing space — it is just two different measurement systems.
Common Use Cases
- Upload Limits: APIs and cloud services often specify maximum file sizes in MB or GB. Convert between units to verify compliance.
- Bandwidth Planning: Calculate how long a file transfer will take based on your connection speed (Mbps vs MBps).
- Storage Estimation: Estimate how many photos, videos, or database records fit in a given storage capacity.
- Cloud Costs: Cloud storage is billed per GB. Accurately converting file sizes helps predict costs.
- Email Attachments: Most email services limit attachments to 25 MB. Verify your file size before attaching.
How to Use This Tool
- Enter a numeric value in the input field.
- Select the source unit (Bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, etc.).
- View the converted values in all other units instantly.
- Click any result to copy it to your clipboard.
Why Use This Tool?
- Instantly convert between all file size units.
- Supports both decimal (KB, MB, GB) and binary (KiB, MiB, GiB) units.
- All calculations run in your browser — fast and accurate.
- Useful for storage planning, bandwidth calculations, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Mbps and MBps?
Mbps (megabits per second) measures network speed. MBps (megabytes per second) measures data transfer rate. Since 1 byte = 8 bits, a 100 Mbps connection transfers at approximately 12.5 MBps.
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?
Manufacturers measure in decimal (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes), while operating systems display in binary (1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes). A "1 TB" drive is actually 931 GiB. No space is missing.