Bytes Converter – Bytes to KB, MB, GB, TB

How the Bytes Converter works

There are two families of data size units. Decimal (SI) units go up in steps of 1,000: a kilobyte (KB) is 1,000 bytes and a megabyte (MB) is 1,000,000 bytes. Binary (IEC) units go up in steps of 1,024: a kibibyte (KiB) is 1,024 bytes and a mebibyte (MiB) is 1,048,576 bytes. A byte is 8 bits.

The converter first works out the exact number of bytes using decimal arithmetic on the digits you typed, not floating point, so even very large values such as 123456789 PiB give an exact byte and bit count. Every unit is 1/8, a power of 1,000 or a power of 1,024 bytes, so the value in each unit is also exact; whole-number parts are always shown in full and fractions are rounded to the precision you choose.

The human-readable sizes pick the largest unit in which the value is at least 1 and round it to two decimal places.

How to use the Bytes Converter

Type the size in the Size box. You can use decimals and exponents such as 1.5 or 2e9.
Choose its unit: bits, bytes, a decimal unit (KB, MB, GB, TB, PB) or a binary unit (KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB, PiB).
Choose the precision for fractional results. Whole-number parts are always shown in full.
Read the exact bytes and bits, the human-readable sizes and the table of every unit. Results update as you type.
Select Copy next to a value to copy the number without thousands separators.

Example

Entering 1.5 with Gibibytes (GiB) selected gives:

Exact bytes   1,610,612,736 bytes
Exact bits    12,884,901,888 bits
Decimal       1.61 GB
Binary        1.5 GiB

Kilobytes (KB)   1,610,612.736      Kibibytes (KiB)   1,572,864
Megabytes (MB)   1,610.612736       Mebibytes (MiB)   1,536
Gigabytes (GB)   1.610612736        Gibibytes (GiB)   1.5
Terabytes (TB)   0.001610612736     Tebibytes (TiB)   0.00146484375
Petabytes (PB)   0.000001610612736  Pebibytes (PiB)   0.000001430511475

Common use cases

Setting upload limits, memory limits or buffer sizes in configuration files that expect a number of bytes.
Turning a byte count from a log or API response into a readable file size.
Checking how many bytes a MiB or GiB really is when sizing disks, volumes or containers.
Converting network or storage figures between bits and bytes.

Common errors and how to fix them

A finite number is required: The box is empty, contains a word, or holds an expression rather than a value. Enter a plain number without units or thousands separators.
The result does not match what my operating system shows: Decimal and binary units differ: 1 MB is 1,000,000 bytes while 1 MiB is 1,048,576. Several systems display binary sizes but label them MB, so compare the same unit family on both sides.
Very large or very small values appear in exponent form: Scientific notation is used beyond the normal display range so the value stays exact rather than being rounded. Convert to a larger unit for a readable figure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between KB and KiB?

A kilobyte (KB) is 1,000 bytes, following the SI prefix kilo. A kibibyte (KiB) is 1,024 bytes. The same pattern continues: 1 MB is 1,000,000 bytes and 1 MiB is 1,048,576 bytes. Many programs, including Windows, show binary sizes but label them KB, MB and GB.

How many bits are in a byte?

Eight. Network speeds are usually given in bits per second, so a 100 megabit connection moves about 12.5 megabytes per second.

Can it handle very large values?

Yes. The exact number of bytes is calculated with decimal arithmetic on the digits you typed, so values far beyond the range of normal floating point precision, such as 123456789 PiB, still give an exact byte count. Extremely long results are shown in scientific notation with every digit kept.

How is the human-readable size chosen?

It uses the largest unit in which the value is at least 1, rounded to two decimal places, once with decimal units and once with binary units. For example, 1,610,612,736 bytes is 1.61 GB or 1.5 GiB.

Why is the precision setting ignored for some values?

The precision setting limits the significant digits of fractional results. Whole-number parts are never rounded, so a value such as 1,572,864 KiB is always shown in full.