MB to GB Converter: Decimal & Binary Storage Conversion

MB to GB Converter

Convert storage units with decimal or binary base

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Decimal (SI, base-10): 1 GB = 1,000 MB. This is the convention used by hard drive and SSD manufacturers, and most file-size marketing.

Binary (IEC, base-2): 1 GB = 1,024 MB (technically this should be called 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB). This is how operating systems like Windows often calculate storage internally, even while labeling it "GB".

Use the toggle below to switch conventions and see how the result changes for the exact same input.

Convention

Decimal (1 GB = 1,000 MB) Binary (1 GB = 1,024 MB)

From

💾 Your Result

Converted Value (Decimal)

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Enter a value above to convert

Quick Reference (from your input)

1 GB doesn’t always mean the same number of MB, it depends on whether the decimal or binary counting convention is being used. This converter lets you toggle between both and see how the result changes for the identical input.

How to use this MB to GB converter

Choose your Convention: Decimal (1 GB = 1,000 MB) or Binary (1 GB = 1,024 MB).
Enter a value in either field to see the conversion in your selected convention.
Toggle the convention to compare how the same input converts differently.

What this converter does

Decimal (SI, base-10): 1 GB equals 1,000 MB. This is the convention used by hard drive and SSD manufacturers, and most file-size marketing. Binary (IEC, base-2): 1 GB equals 1,024 MB (technically this should be called 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB). This is how operating systems like Windows often calculate storage internally, even while labeling it “GB.”

Decimal: 1 GB = 1,000 MB
Binary: 1 GB (technically GiB) = 1,024 MB

Why 1 GB ≠ 1 GB depending on context

This inconsistency exists because storage manufacturers advertise capacity using the decimal convention (producing larger, cleaner-looking numbers), while operating systems calculate and display using the binary convention internally but mislabel the result with decimal unit names. The toggle in this converter lets you directly compare both interpretations for the same number, making it clear exactly where the discrepancy comes from.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the same number of MB convert to a different GB value depending on the toggle?

Because decimal convention treats 1 GB as 1,000 MB while binary convention treats 1 GB (technically GiB) as 1,024 MB, the two conventions disagree by about 2.4% at this scale, and by more at larger scales, this toggle lets you see both results for the same input.

Which convention should I use?

Use decimal if you’re working with figures from a manufacturer’s advertised storage capacity, and binary if you’re trying to match what your operating system displays internally, since Windows and similar systems typically calculate using binary math despite labeling results with decimal unit names.