KB = 1,000 bytes (SI decimal). KiB = 1,024 bytes (binary kibi). Same pattern for MB/MiB and GB/GiB.

Why does my 500 GB drive show lower in GiB?

Dividing decimal capacity by 1024³ yields GiB; the difference is labeling, not missing space.

8 bits = 1 byte. Network speeds are often in bits per second; files are in bytes.

Which does my OS use?

It varies by screen; macOS and Windows have moved toward decimal in places—always read the unit suffix.

Watch Tb (often terabit) vs TB (terabyte)—factor of eight difference.

Conversions are performed locally in your browser.

KB/MB/GB vs KiB/MiB/GiB (decimal & binary).

ValueFromTo

Result

0.95367432 MiB

Informational only; verify critical results independently.

Enter the data size or rate you see on a label, OS, or spec sheet.
Pick the matching unit: decimal KB/MB/GB, binary KiB/MiB/GiB, bytes, or bits.
Select the target unit to compare apples to apples (e.g. GiB to GB).
Remember: storage boxes often use decimal GB; RAM is often quoted in binary GiB.
Convert bits to bytes when reading network speed (Mb/s) vs file size (MB).
Use the result to answer “why is my 1 TB drive smaller in Windows?” style questions.

KB vs KiB?: KB = 1,000 bytes (SI decimal). KiB = 1,024 bytes (binary kibi). Same pattern for MB/MiB and GB/GiB.
Why does my 500 GB drive show lower in GiB?: Dividing decimal capacity by 1024³ yields GiB; the difference is labeling, not missing space.
Bits vs bytes?: 8 bits = 1 byte. Network speeds are often in bits per second; files are in bytes.
Which does my OS use?: It varies by screen; macOS and Windows have moved toward decimal in places—always read the unit suffix.
Terabit vs terabyte?: Watch Tb (often terabit) vs TB (terabyte)—factor of eight difference.
Privacy?: Conversions are performed locally in your browser.

Last updated: 2025-09-14