Byte Converter
Convert between bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, and PB with binary or decimal mode.
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We don't store any of your data. All conversions happen locally in your browser. Only query parameters are included if you decide to share the URL.
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Binary (1024): Uses powers of 1024 (1 KB = 1024 bytes). This is the traditional computing standard used by operating systems and memory specifications.
Decimal (1000): Uses powers of 1000 (1 KB = 1000 bytes). This is the SI (International System of Units) standard used by hard drive manufacturers and data transmission rates.
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How to Use the Byte Converter
The Byte Converter is an essential tool for developers, system administrators, and anyone working with digital storage. Simply enter any value and select the starting unit (bytes, KB, MB, GB, TB, or PB), and the tool instantly displays the equivalent in all other units. The real-time conversion happens automatically as you type — no need to click any buttons.
You can toggle between Binary mode (1024) and Decimal mode (1000) to match your use case. Binary mode is the traditional computing standard where 1 KB = 1024 bytes, used by operating systems, RAM specifications, and most programming contexts. Decimal mode follows the SI standard where 1 KB = 1000 bytes, commonly used by hard drive manufacturers, internet service providers, and data transfer specifications.
Understanding the difference is crucial: a 1 TB hard drive advertised by manufacturers (1,000,000,000,000 bytes in decimal) shows as approximately 931 GB in your operating system (which uses binary calculation). This 7% difference isn't due to formatting overhead — it's simply two different measurement systems. Our converter makes it easy to see conversions in both modes side-by-side.
Each conversion result includes a convenient Copy button that copies the value to your clipboard for easy pasting into documentation, code, or calculations. The highlighted row shows your input unit, making it easy to see the original value at a glance. Use the Share button to generate a URL with your conversion pre-filled, perfect for sharing with teammates or bookmarking common conversions.
Whether you're calculating storage requirements, comparing cloud pricing, debugging memory issues, converting data transfer rates, or simply satisfying your curiosity about how much storage you actually have, this tool provides instant, accurate conversions. The information box at the bottom explains the difference between binary and decimal modes, helping you choose the right one for your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between binary and decimal byte conversion?
Binary mode uses 1024 as the base (1 KB = 1024 bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB), which is the traditional computing standard used by operating systems, RAM, and storage devices. Decimal mode uses 1000 as the base (1 KB = 1000 bytes, 1 MB = 1000 KB), which is the SI (International System of Units) standard used by hard drive manufacturers and internet speeds.
Why do hard drives show less capacity than advertised?
Hard drive manufacturers use decimal (base 1000) to advertise capacity, but operating systems use binary (base 1024) to calculate it. A 1 TB hard drive (1,000,000,000,000 bytes) shows as 931 GB in your OS because 1 TB binary = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes. This 7% difference is why your 'missing' storage isn't actually missing.
Which conversion mode should I use?
Use binary (1024) when working with computer memory, RAM, storage devices, or operating systems. Use decimal (1000) when working with internet speeds, data transfer rates, or comparing hard drive specifications. Most developers default to binary for consistency with system tools.
How accurate are the byte conversions?
The conversions are mathematically precise using IEEE 754 double-precision floating-point arithmetic. For very large numbers (petabytes and beyond), JavaScript may introduce small rounding errors due to floating-point precision limits, but these are negligible for practical use.
Can I convert between different units directly?
Yes! Simply enter your value and select the starting unit (e.g., 500 MB), and the tool automatically shows the equivalent in all other units (bytes, KB, GB, TB, PB). You can instantly see all conversions without any additional steps.
Is my data stored when using this converter?
No, we don't store any data. All conversions happen locally in your browser using JavaScript. If you use the Share button, only the conversion parameters (value, unit, mode) are encoded in the URL query parameters — no data is sent to our servers.