Last updated: February 03, 2025

KB to MB Converter

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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.

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.

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.

Definition and value of megabyte (MB)
Definition of megabyte and its values.

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

$$\text{N}_\text{MB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{KB}}{1{,}000}$$

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

$$\text{N}_\text{MiB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{KiB}}{1{,}024}$$

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:

$$\text{Total size} = 2{,}000 \times 100 = 200{,}000 \text{ KB}$$

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:

$$\text{N}_\text{MB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{KB}}{1{,}000}$$
$$\text{N}_\text{MB} = \frac{200,000}{1{,}000} = 200 \text{ MB}$$

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.

Convert 200,000 kilobytes to megabytes with our calculator
Convert 200,000 kilobytes to megabytes using our calculator.

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:

$$\text{N}_\text{MiB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{KB}}{1{,}024}$$
$$\text{N}_\text{MiB} = \frac{200{,}000}{1{,}024} = 195.3125 \text{ MiB}$$

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.

Convert 200,000 kibibytes to mebibytes with our calculator
Convert 200,000 kibibytes to mebibytes using our calculator.

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

KilobytesMegabytes
0.1 KB0.0001 MB
0.5 KB0.0005 MB
1 KB0.001 MB
2 KB0.002 MB
4 KB0.004 MB
5 KB0.005 MB
10 KB0.01 MB
20 KB0.02 MB
30 KB0.03 MB
40 KB0.04 MB
50 KB0.05 MB
60 KB0.06 MB
70 KB0.07 MB
80 KB0.08 MB
90 KB0.09 MB
100 KB0.1 MB
200 KB0.2 MB
500 KB0.5 MB
800 KB0.8 MB
1,000 KB1 MB
Kilobytes to megabytes conversion table

Binary (IEC) prefixes

KibibytesMebibytes
0.1 KiB0.00009765625 MiB
0.5 KiB0.00048828125 MiB
1 KiB0.0009765625 MiB
2 KiB0.001953125 MiB
4 KiB0.00390625 MiB
5 KiB0.0048828125 MiB
10 KiB0.009765625 MiB
20 KiB0.01953125 MiB
30 KiB0.029296875 MiB
40 KiB0.0390625 MiB
50 KiB0.048828125 MiB
60 KiB0.05859375 MiB
70 KiB0.068359375 MiB
80 KiB0.078125 MiB
90 KiB0.087890625 MiB
100 KiB0.09765625 MiB
200 KiB0.1953125 MiB
500 KiB0.48828125 MiB
800 KiB0.78125 MiB
1,000 KiB0.9765625 MiB
Kibibytes to mebibytes conversion table

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.

KB to MB Converter

About this app

KB to MB Converter

The kilobyte to megabyte (KB to MB) converter is a simple tool for converting data storage between kilobytes (KB) and megabytes (MB), 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
  2. ⬆️ ⬆️ IEC 60027-2 Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology - Part 2: Telecommunications and electronics.

    https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/30633