ConverterData Unit Conversion: Decimal SI and IEC Binary Formulas
Choose Decimal SI or IEC Binary units, apply the correct powers of 1000 or 1024, and keep bit and byte notation clear.
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Use the MB to GB tool for the direct action. This guide stays focused on the explanation, tradeoffs, mistakes, and reference context behind that task.
Choose The Convention Before The Formula
Decimal SI prefixes use powers of 1000. In this convention, 1 kB is 1000 B, 1 MB is 1000 kB, 1 GB is 1000 MB, and 1 TB is 1000 GB.
IEC Binary prefixes use powers of 1024 and distinct names. One KiB is 1024 B, one MiB is 1024 KiB, one GiB is 1024 MiB, and one TiB is 1024 GiB.
Adjacent-Prefix Arithmetic
| Direction | Decimal SI | IEC Binary |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller to larger | divide by 1000 | divide by 1024 |
| Larger to smaller | multiply by 1000 | multiply by 1024 |
| MB or MiB to GB or GiB | GB = MB / 1000 | GiB = MiB / 1024 |
| GB or GiB to MB or MiB | MB = GB x 1000 | MiB = GiB x 1024 |
Raw Bytes To Prefixed Units
| Target | Decimal relationship | Binary relationship |
|---|---|---|
| First prefix | kB = B / 1000 | KiB = B / 1024 |
| Mega scale | MB = B / 1,000,000 | MiB = B / 1,048,576 |
| Giga scale | GB = B / 1,000,000,000 | GiB = B / 1,073,741,824 |
Bits, Bytes, And Exact Arithmetic
One byte equals exactly eight bits. Uppercase B denotes byte; bit or lowercase b denotes bit. A per-second label such as Mbps is a rate and is not produced by a storage-quantity conversion.
The Data Storage tools parse bounded decimal and scientific-notation input into BigInt-backed rational values. The supported factors terminate in decimal form, allowing exact output within the documented limit of 120 significant digits and exponent magnitude 1000.
Mathematical Fractions And Literal Files
A conversion can produce a fractional byte. For example, one bit is 0.125 B. Literal file lengths are normally represented in whole bytes, so the tools disclose the difference rather than silently rounding the mathematical result.
Filesystem allocation, compression, encoding overhead, reserved space, redundancy, provider billing, and upload acceptance are separate from these formulas.
A Reliable Conversion Workflow
- Read the source label and documentation before choosing Decimal SI or IEC Binary.
- Keep the convention in copied output and preserve the original byte count when available.
- Do not relabel a 1024-based value as MB, GB, or TB; use MiB, GiB, or TiB.
- Sum original quantities before applying presentation rounding.
Related Tools
GB to MB
Convert GB file-size values into MB while checking bits, bytes, and decimal/binary conventions.
DatakB to MB
Convert kB file-size values into MB while checking bits, bytes, and decimal/binary conventions.
DataTB to GB
Convert TB file-size values into GB while checking bits, bytes, and decimal/binary conventions.
DataBytes to Bits
Convert Bytes file-size values into Bits while checking bits, bytes, and decimal/binary conventions.
References
- BIPM SI Brochure - Primary reference for decimal SI prefixes and symbols.
- NIST Binary Prefixes - NIST explanation of KiB, MiB, GiB, and related IEC binary prefixes.
- IEC Binary Multiples - IEC overview of binary prefix names and symbols.
- ECMAScript Language Specification - Primary specification for Number and BigInt behavior relevant to the scoped parser.
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