Understanding File Sizes – Bytes vs KB vs MB vs GB
With technology, there are a lot of jargons that may seem difficult to understand and grasp the meaning or concept. Though this may seem true, there are some concepts that are really easy to understand and one of which is the concept of file sizes such as bytes, KB, MB and GB.
Understanding File Sizes on Computer Hard Drives
Gigabytes or Terabytes are the usual measures used on hard drive file sizes. This measurement shows how much space you have on your computer. Example, if you love storing a lot of music and movies, you will probably need a huge storage space which means, you will need to ensure that the computer you will be purchasing comes with huge space that could accommodate the type of files that you will be saving. Tip: if you have 1 TB hard drive, even if you have hundred word documents on your computer, you will not even come close to running out of space.
Smartphone Space
Smartphone’s storage space is very limited. However, over the years, it has increased especially with upgraded versions. Smartphones allow its users to store music, podcasts, pictures and text messages. Yes, each text message takes a tiny space.
Internet Speeds
Ever wondered how internet transfer rates are measured? They are measured in megaBITS per second. Hence, when you would want to have internet connected, take in mind that it is megaBITS of transfer per second not megaBYTES.
For example, if you have a 50 MegaBIT internet connection, you will be able to download about 6.25 MegaBYTES of music. This means it could be roughly two short songs.
What is a BYTE?
A byte is made up of 8 bits. It is a true or false or on off flag which are expressed as 0 for false and 1 for true. Example, 0101100011 this means all zeros and ones would print a letter on the screen. Hence, if you typed the alphabet in your Windows Notepad this would show size of 26 bytes. Take in mind that characters, symbols, foreign language characters could use more bytes for a single character.
How Do I Convert File Sizes (Bytes to KB, KB to MB and MB to GB)?
If you wish to do convert file sizes through the easiest and convenient method, all you have to do is through the use of Google Search. All you need to do is ask in plain language inquiry such as convert 1000 gigabytes to megabytes and you would automatically get the results.
What is the difference between MB vs. MIB?
Lately terms and abbreviations have changed especially with new computers. Hence, the International Electrotechnical Commission has updated the terminology which concerns file sizes. Hence, the original methods in specifying file sizes are flawed and should no longer be used.
Brief History of Hard Drive Sizes
As not to confuse customers, hard drive sizes use decimals rather than binary. Hence, a 10 GB hard drive was advertised as 10,000 Megabytes (decimal) instead of 9.536.74 Mebibytes which are now used more often.
| Name | Symbol | Equal to | Name | IEC | Equal to |
| Kilobyte | KB | 1024 B | Kilobit | kbit | 1000 bit |
| Megabyte | MB | 1024 KB | Megabit | Mbit | 1000 kbit |
| Gigabyte | GB | 1024 MB | Gigabit | Gbit | 1000 Mbit |
| Terabyte | TB | 1024 GB | Terabit | Tbit | 1000 Gbit |
| Petabyte | PB | 1024 TB | Petabit | Pbit | 1000 Tbit |
| Exabyte | EB | 1024 PB | Exabit | Ebit | 1000 Pbit |
| Zettabyte | ZB | 1024 EB | Zettabit | Zbot | 1000 Ebit |
| Yottabyte | YB | 1024 ZB | Yottabit | Ybit | 1000 Zbit |
