Data conversions
Digital data converter between storage and bandwidth units — bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, petabytes and megabits per second. Note: storage uses binary multiples (1 KB = 1024 bytes) in most contexts; networking uses decimal (1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bps).
The fundamental unit of digital information — 0 or 1
The basic file-size and memory unit — 8 bits
One thousand bytes in networking — 1024 bytes in memory
Photo and song file-size unit — 1,000,000 bytes (SI)
Storage drive and RAM unit — 1 billion bytes (SI)
Large drive and NAS unit — 1 trillion bytes (SI)
Datacenter and big-data unit — 1 quadrillion bytes
ISP and network-speed unit — 1 Mbps = 125 kB/s
Megabit per Second to Bit
1 Mbps = 1,000,000 b
Megabit per Second to Byte
1 Mbps = 125,000 B
Megabit per Second to Kilobyte
1 Mbps = 125 KB
Megabit per Second to Megabyte
1 Mbps = 0.125 MB
Megabit per Second to Gigabyte
1 Mbps = 0.000125 GB
Megabit per Second to Terabyte
1 Mbps = 1.2500e-7 TB
Megabit per Second to Petabyte
1 Mbps = 1.2500e-10 PB
Tips for data conversions
8 bits = 1 byte. Storage usually quoted in bytes; network bandwidth in bits.
1 KB is ambiguous: 1000 bytes (SI) in networking and drives, 1024 bytes (binary) in RAM and OS.
A 1 Gbps connection transfers ~125 MB/s (divide Mbps by 8 to approximate MB/s).
File sizes: MB usually 1024 KB in OS, 1000 KB on disc packaging.
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing bits (b) and bytes (B) — 8× difference.
Assuming 1 GB drive holds 1 billion bytes — OS-formatted shows less (binary interpretation).
Mixing Mbps (network) with MB/s (file transfer) — factor of 8.
Ignoring compression and overhead in real-world transfer speeds.
Learn about each unit
Full encyclopedia page for every data unit — definition, history, uses, tips.