GB to Byte Converter

In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data from gigabytes (GB) to bytes (B). 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 a 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).

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 a Gigabyte (GB)?

A gigabyte (GB) is a unit of measurement for data storage used to measure device capacity, files, or memory that are large in size, typically between one billion and one trillion 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 = 103 MB = 1,000 MB
• 1 GB = 109 B = 1,000,000,000 B

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 GiB = 210 MiB = 1,024 MiB
• 1 GiB = 230 B = 1,073,741,824 B

Gigabyte to byte 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 109 (1,000,000,000).

So, to convert from gigabyte to byte, multiply the number of gigabytes (NGB) by the multiplier (1,000,000,000).

NB = NGB × 1,000,000,000

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

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

The gibi- prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 230 (1,073,741,824).

So, to convert from gibibyte to byte, multiply the number of gibibytes (NGiB) by the multiplier (1,073,741,824).

NB = NGiB × 1,073,741,824

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

Examples

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

Example

Imagine you’ve just purchased a new external hard drive advertised as having 500GB of storage. Excited to back up all your photos, videos, and documents, you connect it to your computer, only to find that the available storage is less than 500GB. You see something like 465GB instead.

You realize that operating systems report storage size using binary units, which may differ from the manufacturer. To understand this difference, you convert 500 gigabytes into bytes using decimal and binary standards to determine which one the manufacturer employed.

Using decimal (SI) prefixes

Since 1 gigabyte (GB) equals 109 (1,000,000,000) bytes, we can convert 500 GB to bytes by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{N}_\text{B} = 500 \times 1{,}000{,}000{,}000 = \boxed{500{,}000{,}000{,}000 \text{ B}}$$

So, the 500 GB hard drive, when expressed in decimal units, is equivalent to 500,000,000,000 bytes.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 500 into the GB box, and you instantly get the storage value in bytes, in this case, 500,000,000,000 B.

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

Since 1 gibibyte (GiB) equals 230 (1,073,741,824) bytes, we can convert 500 gibibytes to bytes by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{N}_\text{B} = 500 \times 1{,}073{,}741{,}824 = \boxed{536{,}870{,}912{,}000 \text{ B}}$$

So, the 500 GB hard drive, when expressed in binary units, is equivalent to 536,870,912,000 bytes.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 500 into the From box, choose GiB from the From unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in bytes, in this case, 536,870,912,000 B.

From your calculations, you can assume that the manufacturer used decimal (SI) prefixes^[3]‌ to determine the hard drive’s capacity. Therefore, the actual capacity of the 500 GB hard drive is 500,000,000,000 bytes.

Using our calculator, you can convert the 500 billion bytes to gibibytes that match the exact capacity reported by the operating system, approximately 465.66 GiB.

Gigabyte to byte conversion table

The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from gigabytes (GB) to bytes (B). It covers a range from 0.1 GB to 1,000 GB, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.

Decimal (SI) prefixes

Binary (IEC) prefixes

FAQs

You now know how to convert data storage capacity from gigabytes (GB) to bytes (B). 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.