Last updated: February 01, 2025

Byte to GB Converter

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In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data from bytes (B) to gigabytes (GB). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.

Definitions of Byte and GB

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Byte and Gigabyte. Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.

What is byte (B)?

A Byte (B) is a standard unit of digital information used for data storage. It consists of 8 bits, which gives it a total of 256 possible values (from 0 to 255).

1 Byte equals 8 bits
1 Byte = 8 bits = 256 possible values

With such amount of potential values, a byte can represent many fundamental digital information, including characters in the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) encoding system, numbers, color components, network packets, control code, and other information that fits in a byte.

What is Gigabyte (GB)?

A gigabyte (GB) is a unit of measurement for data storage used to measure files or memory that are large in size, typically between one million and one billion bytes.

It has symbols or abbreviations such as GB, Gbyte, GiB, or Gibyte.

When using International System of Units (SI) prefixes[1], which are based on powers of 10, a gigabyte (GB) equals 1,000,000,000 bytes (1 GB = 109 = 1,000,000,000 B).

The table below shows all the SI prefixes and the associated symbols, multipliers, and colloquial.

SI Prefixes
International System of Units (SI) prefixes

When using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) binary prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 2, a gigabyte (GB) equals 1,073,741,824 bytes (1 GB = 230 = 1,073,741,824 B)

The IEC defined a set of binary prefixes to avoid confusion with the decimal-based SI prefixes. The table below shows all the binary prefixes, associated symbols, and its multipliers.

Binary Prefixes for Byte

Here is a comparison between the binary and SI prefixes for data storage:

  • 1 GB = 109 = 1,000,000,000 B
  • 1 GiB = 230 = 1,073,741,824 B

For general communication, you can use SI prefixes as they are familiar with the metric system, while for more accurate contexts, you should use IEC binary prefixes.

Byte to gigabyte formula

Let’s take a closer look at the conversion formula so you can carry out these conversions independently, whether using a calculator or doing it manually with pencil and paper.

Using decimal (SI) prefixes

The giga- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 1,000,000,000 (109). So, to convert from byte to gigabyte, divide the number of bytes (NB) by the multiplier (1,000,000,000).

NGB = NB ÷ 1,000,000,000

$$\text{N}_\text{GB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{B}}{1{,}000{,}000{,}000}$$

Or remember the B-to-GB conversion factor: 1 B = 1/1,000,000,000 GB

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

The mebi- prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 1,073,741,824 (230). So, to convert from byte to gigabyte (or gibibyte), divide the number of bytes (NB) by the multiplier (1,073,741,824).

NGiB = NB ÷ 1,073,741,824

$$\text{N}_\text{GiB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{B}}{1{,}073{,}741{,}824}$$

Or remember the B-to-GiB conversion factor: 1 B = 1/1,073,741,824 GiB

Examples

Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from bytes to gigabytes (B to GB).

Example

You have a flash drive with a storage capacity of 8 gigabytes (GB). You want to copy a collection of 50,000 high-resolution images to the flash drive. Each image has a size of approximately 100,000 bytes (B). You want to know if the entire collection of images can fit on the flash drive.

To know the total size of the image collection in gigabytes (GB), we need to know the size of each image in GB first by using the following formula:

Using decimal (SI) prefixes

$$\text{N}_\text{GB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{B}}{1{,}000{,}000,000}$$
$$\text{N}_\text{GB} = \frac{100{,}000}{1{,}000{,}000,000} = 0.0001 \text{ GB}$$

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 100,000 into the b box, and you instantly get the storage value in gigabytes, in this case, 0.0001 GB.

Convert 100,000 bytes to gigabytes with our calculator
Convert 100,000 bytes to gigabytes using our calculator.

To calculate the total size of the image collection in GB:

$$\text{Total Size}_\text{GB} = 50,000 \times 0.0001 = 5 \text{ GB}$$

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

$$\text{N}_\text{GiB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{B}}{1{,}073{,}741{,}824}$$
$$\text{N}_\text{GiB} = \frac{100{,}000}{1{,}073{,}741{,}824} = 0.00009313 \text{ GiB}$$

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 100,000 into the b box, choose GiB = Gibibyte from the To box, and you instantly get the storage value in gibibytes, in this case, 0.00009313 GiB.

Convert 100,000 bytes to gibibytes with our calculator
Convert 100,000 bytes to gibibytes using our calculator.

To calculate the total size of the image collection in GiB:

$$\text{Total Size}_\text{GiB} = 50,000 \times 0.00009313 = 4.6566 \text{ GiB}$$

Since the total size of the image collection is approximately 4.6566 GiB or 5 GB, it will fit on the flash drive with an 8 GB capacity.

Byte to gigabyte conversion table

The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from bytes (B) to gigabytes (GB) and gibibytes (GiB). It covers a range from 1 B to 1,000 B, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.

BytesGigabytesGibibytes
1 B0.000000001 GB0.000000000931322574615479 GiB
2 B0.000000002 GB0.00000000186264514923096 GiB
4 B0.000000004 GB0.00000000372529029846191 GiB
5 B0.000000005 GB0.00000000465661287307739 GiB
10 B0.00000001 GB0.00000000931322574615479 GiB
20 B0.00000002 GB0.0000000186264514923096 GiB
30 B0.00000003 GB0.0000000279396772384644 GiB
40 B0.00000004 GB0.0000000372529029846191 GiB
50 B0.00000005 GB0.0000000465661287307739 GiB
60 B0.00000006 GB0.0000000558793544769287 GiB
70 B0.00000007 GB0.0000000651925802230835 GiB
80 B0.00000008 GB0.0000000745058059692383 GiB
90 B0.00000009 GB0.0000000838190317153931 GiB
100 B0.0000001 GB0.0000000931322574615479 GiB
200 B0.0000002 GB0.000000186264514923096 GiB
500 B0.0000005 GB0.000000465661287307739 GiB
800 B0.0000008 GB0.000000745058059692383 GiB
1000 B0.000001 GB0.000000931322574615479 GiB
Bytes to gigabytes and gibibtyes conversion table.

FAQs

Is 1 byte or 1 gigabyte larger?

A gigabyte (GB) is a billion times bigger than a byte (B). Here are the relationships between the units:

Decimal prefixes

  • 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 B
  • 1 B = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000 = 0.000000001 GB

Binary prefixes

  • 1 MiB = 1,073,741,824 B
  • 1 B = 1 ÷ 1,073,741,824 = 0.000000000931322574615479 GiB

How to convert from byte to gigabyte?

To convert data storage from bytes (B) to gigabytes (GB), follow these simple steps based on the standard you are using:

  • Write down the data storage value in bytes (B).

Decimal (SI) prefixes

  • Multiply it by the value of a B-to-GB conversion factor: 1/1,000,000,000.
  • The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in gigabytes (GB).

Binary (IEC) prefixes

  • Multiply it by the value of a B-to-GiB conversion factor: 1/1,073,741,824.
  • The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in gibibytes (GiB).

You now know how to convert data storage capacity from bytes (B) to gigabytes (GB). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the data storage units to save time for future calculations.

For further understanding, check our data storage converter page to learn more about the differences between decimal and binary units of data storage.

Byte to GB Converter

About this app

Byte to GB Converter

The byte to gigabyte (B to GB) converter is a simple tool for converting data storage between bytes (B) and gigabytes (GB), with explanations, formulas, examples, and tables.

Availability

You can use the calculator for free as a PWA web app online or install it locally on any modern operating system, including Android, iOS, Windows 11/10, and macOS.

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References

2 Sources

  1. ⬆️ Metric (SI) Prefixes | NIST, NIST, Jan. 13, 2010.

    https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/metric-si-prefixes (accessed Jan. 31, 2025).
  2. ⬆️ IEC 60027-2 Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology - Part 2: Telecommunications and electronics.

    https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/30633