Last updated: February 01, 2025

KB to Byte Converter

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In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data from kilobytes (KB) 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 KB

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Byte and Kilobyte. 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 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).

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 kilobyte (KB) equals 1,024 bytes (1 KB = 210 = 1,024 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 KB = 103 = 1,000 B
  • 1 KiB = 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.

Kilobyte 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 kilo- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 1,000 (103). So, to convert from kilobyte to byte, multiply the number of kilobytes (NKB) by the multiplier (1,000).

NB = NKB × 1,000

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

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

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

The kibi- prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 1,024 (210). So, to convert from kilobyte (or kibibyte) to byte, multiply the number of kilobytes (NKB) by the multiplier (1,024).

NB = NKiB × 1,024

$$\text{N}_\text{B} = \text{N}_\text{KiB} \times 1{,}024$$

Or remember the KiB-to-B conversion factor: 1 KiB = 1,024 B

Examples

Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from kilobytes to bytes (KB to B)?

Example

Taylor, who's just starting out as a filmmaker, wrapped up a short film project and has a folder full of 100 video clips. Each clip is about 1,500 KB in size, and now Taylor needs to figure out how much total space the folder will take up in bytes on their computer.

First, calculate the total size of the video folder:

$$\text{Total size} = 1{,}500 \times 100 = 150{,}000 \text{ KB}$$

So, the total space Taylor's computer needed to store all the video clips would be 150,000 KB.

Next, convert the folder size from kilobytes to bytes.

Using decimal (SI) prefixes

Since 1 kilobyte (KB) equals 1,000 bytes (B), we can convert 150,000 KB to bytes by using the following formula:

$$\text{N}_\text{B} = \text{N}_\text{KB} \times 1{,}000$$
$$\text{N}_\text{B} = 150{,}000 \times 1{,}000 = 150{,}000{,}000 \text{ B}$$

So, the total space needed to store all the video clips would be 150,000,000 B.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 150,000 into the b box, and you instantly get the storage value in bytes, in this case, 150,000,000 B.

Convert 150,000 kilobytes to bytes with our calculator
Convert 150,000 kilobytes to bytes using our calculator.

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

Since 1 kilobyte or 1 kibibyte (KiB) equals 1,024 bytes (B), we can convert 150,000 kibibytes to bytes by using the following formula:

$$\text{N}_\text{B} = \text{N}_\text{KiB} \times 1{,}024$$
$$\text{N}_\text{B} = 150{,}000 \times 1{,}024 = 153{,}600{,}000 \text{ B}$$

So, the total space needed to store all the video clips would be 153,600,000 B.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 150,000 into the From box, choose KiB = Kibibyte from the From unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in bytes, in this case, 153,600,000 B.

Convert 150,000 kibibytes to bytes with our calculator
Convert 150,000 kibibytes to bytes using our calculator.

Kilobyte to byte conversion table

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

Decimal (SI) prefixes

KilobytesBytes
0.1 KB100 B
0.5 KB500 B
1 KB1,000 B
2 KB2,000 B
4 KB4,000 B
5 KB5,000 B
10 KB10,000 B
20 KB20,000 B
30 KB30,000 B
40 KB40,000 B
50 KB50,000 B
60 KB60,000 B
70 KB70,000 B
80 KB80,000 B
90 KB90,000 B
100 KB100,000 B
200 KB200,000 B
500 KB500,000 B
800 KB800,000 B
1,000 KB1,000,000 B
Kilobytes to bytes conversion table

Binary (IEC) prefixes

KibibytesBytes
0.1 KiB102.4 B
0.5 KiB512 B
1 KiB1,024 B
2 KiB2,048 B
4 KiB4,096 B
5 KiB5,120 B
10 KiB10,240 B
20 KiB20,480 B
30 KiB30,720 B
40 KiB40,960 B
50 KiB51,200 B
60 KiB61,440 B
70 KiB71,680 B
80 KiB81,920 B
90 KiB92,160 B
100 KiB102,400 B
200 KiB204,800 B
500 KiB512,000 B
800 KiB819,200 B
1,000 KiB1,024,000 B
Kibibytes to bytes conversion table

FAQs

Is 1 byte or 1 kilobyte larger?

A kilobyte (KB) is a thousand times bigger than a byte (B). Here are the relationships between the units:

Decimal prefixes

  • 1 KB = 1,000 B
  • 1 B = 1 ÷ 1,000 = 0.001 KB

Binary prefixes

  • 1 KiB = 1,024 B
  • 1 B = 1 ÷ 1,024 = 0.0009765625 KB

How to convert from kilobyte to byte?

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

  • Write down the data storage value in kilobytes (KB).

Decimal (SI) prefixes

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

Binary (IEC) prefixes

  • Multiply it by the value of a KiB-to-B conversion factor: 1,024.
  • The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in bytes (B).

You now know how to convert data storage capacity from kilobytes (KB) 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.

KB to Byte Converter

About this app

KB to Byte Converter

The kilobyte to byte (KB to B) converter is a simple tool for converting data storage between kilobytes (KB) and bytes (B), 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