Decimal ↔ Binary Storage Unit Converter

Use Cases

This tool helps users clarify storage size discrepancies, such as understanding why a 500 GB hard drive appears as ~465 GiB in an operating system. It’s useful for IT professionals comparing hardware specifications (binary) with marketing claims (decimal), students learning about storage units, and anyone needing precise conversions for data management or purchasing decisions.

About Decimal and Binary Storage Units

Decimal units (e.g., GB) use powers of 10 (10³ = 1000), while binary units (e.g., GiB) use powers of 2 (2¹⁰ = 1024). This difference causes discrepancies: 1 GiB = 2³⁰ bytes ≈ 1.074 GB. Operating systems often display sizes in binary units, while manufacturers use decimal units for marketing. Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate storage calculations (Source: IEC Standard 80000-13).