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

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.

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.
What is 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 = 106 KB = 1,000,000 KB
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 = 220 KiB = 1,048,576 KiB
1 GiB = 230 B = 1,073,741,824 B
KB to GB 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)
and giga-
represents a multiplier of 109 (1,000,000,000).
So, to convert from kilobytes to gigabytes, divide the number of kilobytes (NKB
) by 1,000,000
.
NGB = NKB ÷ 106 = NKB ÷ 1,000,000
Or remember the KB-to-GB
conversion factor: 1 KB = 0.000001 GB
Using binary (IEC) prefixes
The kibi-
prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 210 (1,024)
and gibi-
represents a multiplier of 230 (1,073,741,824)
.
So, to convert from kibibytes to gibibytes, divide the number of kibibytes (NKiB
) by 220 (1,048,576)
.
NGiB = NKiB ÷ 1,073,741,824
Or remember the KiB-to-GiB
conversion factor: 1 KiB = 2-20 GiB
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from kilobytes to gigabytes (KB to GB)?
Example
Alex, a music producer, has completed an album with a folder full of 300
music tracks. Each track file is around 4,000 KB
in size. Alex needs to figure out how much total space the folder will take up in gigabytes on his computer.
First, calculate the total size of the music folder:
So, the total space Alex's computer needed to store all the music tracks would be 1,200,000 KB
.
Next, convert the folder size from kilobytes to gigabytes.
Using decimal (SI) prefixes
Since 1 gigabyte (GB) equals 1,000,000 kilobytes (KB), we can convert 1,200,000 KB to gigabytes by using the following formula:
So, the total space needed to store all the music tracks would be 1.2 GB
.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 1,200,000
into the KB box, and you instantly get the storage value in gigabytes, in this case, 1.2 GB
.

Using binary (IEC) prefixes
Since 1 gibibyte (GiB) equals 1,048,576 kibibytes (KiB), we can convert 1,200,000 kibibytes
to gibibytes by using the following formula:
So, the total space needed to store all the music tracks would be 1.14 GiB
.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by choosing KiB and entering 1,200,000
into the From box, choose GiB from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in gibibytes, in this case, 1.1444091796875 GiB
.

KB to GB conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from kilobytes (KB) to gigabytes (GB). 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
Kilobytes | Gigabytes |
---|---|
0.1 KB | 0.0000001 GB |
0.5 KB | 0.0000005 GB |
1 KB | 0.000001 GB |
2 KB | 0.000002 GB |
4 KB | 0.000004 GB |
5 KB | 0.000005 GB |
10 KB | 0.00001 GB |
20 KB | 0.00002 GB |
30 KB | 0.00003 GB |
40 KB | 0.00004 GB |
50 KB | 0.00005 GB |
60 KB | 0.00006 GB |
70 KB | 0.00007 GB |
80 KB | 0.00008 GB |
90 KB | 0.00009 GB |
100 KB | 0.0001 GB |
200 KB | 0.0002 GB |
500 KB | 0.0005 GB |
800 KB | 0.0008 GB |
1,000 KB | 0.001 GB |
Binary (IEC) prefixes
Kibibytes | Gibibytes |
---|---|
0.1 KiB | 0.000000095367431640625 GiB |
0.5 KiB | 0.000000476837158203125 GiB |
1 KiB | 0.00000095367431640625 GiB |
2 KiB | 0.0000019073486328125 GiB |
4 KiB | 0.000003814697265625 GiB |
5 KiB | 0.00000476837158203125 GiB |
10 KiB | 0.0000095367431640625 GiB |
20 KiB | 0.000019073486328125 GiB |
30 KiB | 0.0000286102294921875 GiB |
40 KiB | 0.00003814697265625 GiB |
50 KiB | 0.0000476837158203125 GiB |
60 KiB | 0.000057220458984375 GiB |
70 KiB | 0.0000667572021484375 GiB |
80 KiB | 0.0000762939453125 GiB |
90 KiB | 0.0000858306884765625 GiB |
100 KiB | 0.000095367431640625 GiB |
200 KiB | 0.00019073486328125 GiB |
500 KiB | 0.000476837158203125 GiB |
800 KiB | 0.000762939453125 GiB |
1,000 KiB | 0.00095367431640625 GiB |
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 = 1,000,000 KB
1 KB = 1 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.000001 GB
Binary prefixes
1 GiB = 1,048,576 KiB
1 KiB = 1 ÷ 1,048,576 ≈ 0.00000095
GiB
How to convert from kilobyte to gigabyte?
To convert data storage from kilobytes (KB) to gigabytes (GB), 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-GB
conversion factor:0.000001
. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
gigabytes (GB)
.
Binary (IEC) prefixes
- multiply it by the value of a
KiB-to-GiB
conversion factor:2-20
. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
gibibytes (GiB)
.
You now know how to convert data storage capacity from kilobytes (KB) 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.