In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data from kilobytes (KB) to megabytes (MB). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of KB and MB
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Kilobyte
and Megabyte
. 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 Megabyte (MB)?
A megabyte (MB
) 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 MB
, Mbyte
, MiB
, or Mibyte
.

When using International System of Units (SI) prefixes[1], which are based on powers of 10, a megabyte (MB) equals 1,000,000 bytes.
1 MB = 103 KB = 1,000 KB
1 MB = 106 B = 1,000,000 B
When using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) binary prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 2, a megabyte (MB) equals 1,048,576 bytes.
1 MiB = 210 KiB = 1,024 KiB
1 MiB = 220 B = 1,048,576 B
KB to MB 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 mega-
represents a multiplier of 106 (1,000,000).
So, to convert from kilobytes to megabytes, divide the number of kilobytes (NKB
) by 1,000
.
NMB = NKB ÷ 103 = NKB ÷ 1,000
Or remember the KB-to-MB
conversion factor: 1 KB = 0.001 MB
Using binary (IEC) prefixes
The kibi-
prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 210 (1,024)
and mebi-
represents a multiplier of 220 (1,048,576)
.
So, to convert from kibibytes to mebibytes, divide the number of kibibytes (NKiB
) by 1,024
.
NMiB = NKiB ÷ 1,024
Or remember the KiB-to-MiB
conversion factor: 1 KiB = 1/1,024 MiB
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from kilobytes to megabytes (KB to MB)?
Example
Sophie, an aspiring photographer, just finished a photo shoot and has a folder with 100 high-resolution images. Each image is about 2,000 KB in size. Sophie needs to determine how much total space the folder will take up in megabytes on her computer.
First, calculate the total size of the photo folder:
So, the total space Sophie's computer needed to store all the images would be 200,000 KB
.
Next, convert the folder size from kilobytes to megabytes.
Using decimal (SI) prefixes
Since 1 megabyte (MB) equals 1,000 kilobytes (KB), we can convert 200,000 KB to bytes by using the following formula:
So, the total space needed to store all the images would be 200 MB
.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 200,000
into the KB box, and you instantly get the storage value in megabytes, in this case, 200 MB
.

Using binary (IEC) prefixes
Since 1 mebibyte (MiB) equals 1,024 kibibytes (KiB), we can convert 200,000 kibibytes
to mebibytes by using the following formula:
So, the total space needed to store all the images would be 195.3125 MiB
.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 200,000
into the From box, choose MiB = Mebibyte
from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in megabytes, in this case, 195.3125 MiB
.

KB to MB conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from kilobytes (KB) to megabytes (MB). 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 | Megabytes |
---|---|
0.1 KB | 0.0001 MB |
0.5 KB | 0.0005 MB |
1 KB | 0.001 MB |
2 KB | 0.002 MB |
4 KB | 0.004 MB |
5 KB | 0.005 MB |
10 KB | 0.01 MB |
20 KB | 0.02 MB |
30 KB | 0.03 MB |
40 KB | 0.04 MB |
50 KB | 0.05 MB |
60 KB | 0.06 MB |
70 KB | 0.07 MB |
80 KB | 0.08 MB |
90 KB | 0.09 MB |
100 KB | 0.1 MB |
200 KB | 0.2 MB |
500 KB | 0.5 MB |
800 KB | 0.8 MB |
1,000 KB | 1 MB |
Binary (IEC) prefixes
Kibibytes | Mebibytes |
---|---|
0.1 KiB | 0.00009765625 MiB |
0.5 KiB | 0.00048828125 MiB |
1 KiB | 0.0009765625 MiB |
2 KiB | 0.001953125 MiB |
4 KiB | 0.00390625 MiB |
5 KiB | 0.0048828125 MiB |
10 KiB | 0.009765625 MiB |
20 KiB | 0.01953125 MiB |
30 KiB | 0.029296875 MiB |
40 KiB | 0.0390625 MiB |
50 KiB | 0.048828125 MiB |
60 KiB | 0.05859375 MiB |
70 KiB | 0.068359375 MiB |
80 KiB | 0.078125 MiB |
90 KiB | 0.087890625 MiB |
100 KiB | 0.09765625 MiB |
200 KiB | 0.1953125 MiB |
500 KiB | 0.48828125 MiB |
800 KiB | 0.78125 MiB |
1,000 KiB | 0.9765625 MiB |
FAQs
Is 1 kilobyte or 1 megabyte larger?
A megabyte (MB) is a thousand times bigger than a kilobyte (KB). Here are the relationships between the units:
Decimal prefixes
1 MB = 1,000 KB
1 KB = 1 ÷ 1,000 = 0.001 MB
Binary prefixes
1 MiB = 1,024 KiB
1 KiB = 1 ÷ 1,024 = 0.0009765625 MiB
How to convert from kilobyte to megabyte?
To convert data storage from kilobytes (KB) to megabytes (MB), 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-MB
conversion factor:0.001
. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
megabytes (MB)
.
Binary (IEC) prefixes
- multiply it by the value of a
KiB-to-MiB
conversion factor:1/1,024
. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
mebibytes (MiB)
.
You now know how to convert data storage capacity from kilobytes (KB) to megabytes (MB). 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.