In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data from gigabytes (GB) to kilobytes (KB). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of KB and GB
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Kilobyte and Gigabyte. Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.
What is a Kilobyte (KB)?
A kilobyte (KB) is a unit of measurement for data storage used to measure files or memory that are small in size, typically under one million bytes.
It has symbols or abbreviations such as KB, Kbyte, KiB, or Kibyte.
When using International System of Units (SI) prefixes[1], which are based on powers of 10, a kilobyte (KB) equals 1,000 bytes (1 KB = 103 = 1,000 B).
When using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) binary prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 2, a kilobyte (KB) equals 1,024 bytes (1 KB = 210 = 1,024 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.
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 MB1 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 MiB1 GiB = 230 B = 1,073,741,824 B
Gigabyte to kilobyte 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 table below shows all the SI prefixes and the associated symbols, multipliers, and colloquial.
The giga- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 109 (1,000,000,000) and kilo- represents a mulitplier of 103 (1,000).
So, to convert from gigabyte to kilobyte, multiply the number of gigabytes (NGB) by 106 (1,000,000).
NKB = NGB × 1,000,000
Or remember the GB-to-KB conversion factor: 1 GB = 1,000,000 KB
Using binary (IEC) prefixes
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.
The gibi- prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 230 (1,073,741,824) and kibi- represets a multiplier of 210 (1,024).
So, to convert from gibibyte to kibibyte, multiply the number of gibibytes (NGiB) by 220 (1,048,576).
NKiB = NGiB × 1,048,576
Or remember the GiB-to-KiB conversion factor: 1 GiB = 220 = 1,048,576 KiB
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from gigabytes to kilobytes (GB to KB).
Example
Imagine you have an iCloud storage plan with a limit of 5 gigabytes (GB) 📦. You use this storage to back up your photos 🖼️, with the average size of each image being around 800 kilobytes (KB) 📏.
To manage your storage efficiently, you want to determine how many images you can store within your iCloud storage limit. By converting the total available storage from gigabytes to kilobytes 🔄, you can easily calculate the maximum number of images you can upload to iCloud without exceeding the 5 GB limit.
Using decimal (SI) prefixes
Since 1 gigabyte (GB) equals 106 (1,000,000) kilobytes, we can convert 5 GB to kilobytes by using the following formula:
So, the 5 GB iCloud storage, when expressed in decimal units, is equivalent to 5,000,000 kilobytes.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 5 into the GB box, and you instantly get the storage value in kilobytes, in this case, 5,000,000 KB.
Next, calculate the total number of images the 5,000,000 KB storage can back up.
Therefore, the total number of images that the iCloud storage can backup, when expressed in decimal units, would be 6,250.
Using binary (IEC) prefixes
Since 1 gibibyte (GiB) equals 220 (1,048,576) kilobytes, we can convert 5 gibibytes to kilobytes by using the following formula:
So, the 5 GB iCloud storage, when expressed in binary units, is equivalent to 5,242,880 kibibytes.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 5 into the From box, choose GiB from the From unit box, choose KiB from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in kibibytes, in this case, 5,242,880 KiB.
Next, calculate the total number of images the 5,000,000 KB storage can back up.
Thus, the total number of images that the iCloud storage can backup, when expressed in binary units, would be about 6,553.
Gigabyte to kilobyte conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from gigabytes (GB) to kilobytes (KB). 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
| Gigabytes | Kilobytes |
|---|---|
| 0.1 GB | 100,000 KB |
| 0.5 GB | 500,000 KB |
| 1 GB | 1,000,000 KB |
| 2 GB | 2,000,000 KB |
| 4 GB | 4,000,000 KB |
| 5 GB | 5,000,000 KB |
| 10 GB | 10,000,000 KB |
| 20 GB | 20,000,000 KB |
| 30 GB | 30,000,000 KB |
| 40 GB | 40,000,000 KB |
| 50 GB | 50,000,000 KB |
| 60 GB | 60,000,000 KB |
| 70 GB | 70,000,000 KB |
| 80 GB | 80,000,000 KB |
| 90 GB | 90,000,000 KB |
| 100 GB | 100,000,000 KB |
| 200 GB | 200,000,000 KB |
| 500 GB | 500,000,000 KB |
| 800 GB | 800,000,000 KB |
| 1000 GB | 1,000,000,000 KB |
Binary (IEC) prefixes
| Gibibytes | Kibibytes |
|---|---|
| 0.1 GiB | 104,857.6 KiB |
| 0.5 GiB | 524,288 KiB |
| 1 GiB | 1,048,576 KiB |
| 2 GiB | 2,097,152 KiB |
| 4 GiB | 4,194,304 KiB |
| 5 GiB | 5,242,880 KiB |
| 10 GiB | 10,485,760 KiB |
| 20 GiB | 20,971,520 KiB |
| 30 GiB | 31,457,280 KiB |
| 40 GiB | 41,943,040 KiB |
| 50 GiB | 52,428,800 KiB |
| 60 GiB | 62,914,560 KiB |
| 70 GiB | 73,400,320 KiB |
| 80 GiB | 83,886,080 KiB |
| 90 GiB | 94,371,840 KiB |
| 100 GiB | 104,857,600 KiB |
| 200 GiB | 209,715,200 KiB |
| 500 GiB | 524,288,000 KiB |
| 800 GiB | 838,860,800 KiB |
| 1000 GiB | 1,048,576,000 KiB |
FAQs
Is 1 kilobyte or 1 gigabyte larger?
A gigabyte (GB) is a million times bigger than a kilobyte (KB). Here are the relationships between the units:
Decimal prefixes
1 GB = 106 = 1,000,000 KB1 KB = 10-6 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.000001 GB
Binary prefixes
1 GiB = 220 = 1,048,576 KiB1 KiB = 2-20 = 1 ÷ 1,048,576 = 0.00000095367431640625GiB
How to convert from gigabytes to kilobytes?
To convert data storage from gigabytes (GB) to kilobytes (KB), follow these simple steps based on the standard you are using:
- Write down the data storage value in
gigabytes (GB).
Decimal (SI) prefixes
- Multiply it by the value of a
GB-to-KBconversion factor:106or1,000,000. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
kilobytes (KB).
Binary (IEC) prefixes
- Multiply it by the value of a
GiB-to-KiBconversion factor:220or1,048,576. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
kilobytes (KB).
You now know how to convert data storage capacity from gigabytes (GB) to kilobytes (KB). 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.
