Data storage units measure stored information. This converter uses byte as the base unit and separates decimal units such as KB and MB from binary units such as KiB and MiB. Data storage units appear in files, cloud quotas, phone storage, hosting limits, memory cards, backups, operating systems, and database capacity planning.
What data storage units measure
Data storage units measure stored information. This converter uses byte as the base unit and separates decimal units such as KB and MB from binary units such as KiB and MiB. A good unit reference should preserve the original unit, explain the conversion relationship, and show when a rounded value is only a display convenience.
Unit scale and relationships
The chart below compares each unit against the base unit used by Xunits for data storage conversions.
Common use cases
Data storage units appear in files, cloud quotas, phone storage, hosting limits, memory cards, backups, operating systems, and database capacity planning. In these workflows, the right unit is usually the one used by the instrument, source document, regulation, buyer, or local convention.
Common mistakes
- Do not assume MB and MiB are the same. Decimal storage uses powers of 1000, while binary storage uses powers of 1024.
- Do not copy a number without its unit symbol; the same number can mean very different things in another unit.
- Do not round intermediate values when the converted result will be reused in a formula, specification, or limit check.
Available data storage unit guides
Each guide explains one unit in depth, then links back to the most useful converter pages.
Related converters
Use converter pages when you need a direct numerical answer.