How data size conversion works
Every data unit has a fixed ratio to the byte. The value is first converted to bytes, then into the target unit.
Common values
| Value (GB) | Result |
|---|---|
| 0.1 GB | 100 MB |
| 0.25 GB | 250 MB |
| 0.5 GB | 500 MB |
| 1 GB | 1000 MB |
| 1.5 GB | 1500 MB |
| 2 GB | 2000 MB |
| 3 GB | 3000 MB |
| 5 GB | 5000 MB |
| 10 GB | 10000 MB |
More detail
Decimal vs. binary units
KB/MB/GB/TB use powers of 1000 (the SI standard, and what storage manufacturers use). KiB/MiB/GiB/TiB use powers of 1024 (the IEC standard, and what most operating systems display). 1 GB = 1000 MB, but 1 GiB = 1024 MiB — mixing the two is a common source of "missing" disk space.
Practical tip. If your OS shows a file as smaller than the manufacturer's advertised size, it's usually a decimal-vs-binary mismatch, not a bug.
Frequently asked questions
How many MB is 1 GB?
Using the decimal (SI) standard, 1 GB = 1000 MB = 1,000,000 KB — the convention storage manufacturers use on packaging.
How many MiB is 1 GiB, and how is it different from GB?
1 GiB = 1024 MiB (binary, IEC standard) ≈ 1.0737 GB. The mismatch is why a drive's capacity in your OS looks smaller than the number on the box.
How many bits are in a byte?
1 byte (B) = 8 bits, so 1 bit = 0.125 bytes.
Why does a 1 TB drive show up as less than 1 TB in my OS?
Manufacturers label capacity in decimal (1 TB = 1000 GB), while most operating systems display it in binary, showing roughly 931 GiB. The actual capacity is the same — only the unit convention differs.