In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data from kilobytes (KB) to terabytes (TB). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of KB and TB
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Kilobyte
and Terabyte
. 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 colloquials.

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 their 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 a Terabyte (TB)?
A terabyte (TB
) is a unit of measurement for data storage used to measure hard drive capacity, files, or memory that are very large, typically between one trillion and one quadrillion bytes.
It has symbols or abbreviations such as TB
, Tbyte
, TiB
, or Tibyte
.

When using International System of Units (SI) prefixes[1], which are based on powers of 10, a terabyte (TB) equals 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
1 TB = 109 KB = 1,000,000,000 KB
1 TB = 1012 B = 1,000,000,000,000 B
When using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) binary prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 2, a terabyte (TB) equals 1,099,511,627,776 bytes.
1 TiB = 230 KiB = 1,073,741,824 KiB
1 TiB = 240 B = 1,099,511,627,776 B
KB to TB 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 tera-
represents a multiplier of 1012 (1,000,000,000,000).
So, to convert from kilobytes to terabytes, divide the number of kilobytes (NKB
) by 1,000,000,000
.
NTB = NKB × 10-9 = NKB ÷ 1,000,000,000
Or remember the KB-to-TB
conversion factor: 1 KB = 10-9 = 0.000000001 TB
Using binary (IEC) prefixes
The kibi-
prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 210 (1,024)
and tebi-
represents a multiplier of 240 (1,099,511,627,776)
.
So, to convert from kibibytes to tebibytes, divide the number of kibibytes (NKiB
) by 230 (1,073,741,824)
.
NTiB = NKiB × 2-30 = NKiB ÷ 1,073,741,824
Or remember the KiB-to-TiB
conversion factor: 1 KiB = 2-30 TiB
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from kilobytes to terabytes (KB to TB).
Example
Sam works as an IT manager at a tech company that's not too small but not a giant either. He takes care of the important task of backing up and recovering the company’s data. Recently, they completed a full system backup, and now it's up to Sam to figure out how to store these backup files in the best way possible.
According to the backup report, they've got a hefty amount of data 3,200,000,000 kilobytes
. Sam knows he needs to convert that figure into terabytes so he can arrange for the right amount of storage space needed.
Using decimal (SI) prefixes
Since 1 terabyte (TB) equals 1,000,000,000 kilobytes (KB), we can convert 3,200,000,000 KB to terabytes by using the following formula:
So, the total space that Sam needed to store the full system backup would be 3.2 TB
.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 3,200,000,000
into the KB box, and you instantly get the storage value in terabytes, in this case, 3.2 TB
.

Using binary (IEC) prefixes
Since 1 tebibyte (TiB) equals 230 (1,073,741,824)
kibibytes (KiB), we can convert 3,200,000,000 kibibytes
to tebibytes by using the following formula:
So, the actual total space that Sam needed to store the full system backup would be 2.98 TiB
.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by choosing KiB and entering 1,200,000
into the From box, choose TiB from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in tebibytes, in this case, 1.1444091796875 GiB
.

KB to TB conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from kilobytes (KB) to terabytes (TB). 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 | Terabytes |
---|---|
0.1 KB | 0.0000000001 TB |
0.5 KB | 0.0000000005 TB |
1 KB | 0.000000001 TB |
2 KB | 0.000000002 TB |
4 KB | 0.000000004 TB |
5 KB | 0.000000005 TB |
10 KB | 0.00000001 TB |
20 KB | 0.00000002 TB |
30 KB | 0.00000003 TB |
40 KB | 0.00000004 TB |
50 KB | 0.00000005 TB |
60 KB | 0.00000006 TB |
70 KB | 0.00000007 TB |
80 KB | 0.00000008 TB |
90 KB | 0.00000009 TB |
100 KB | 0.0000001 TB |
200 KB | 0.0000002 TB |
500 KB | 0.0000005 TB |
800 KB | 0.0000008 TB |
1,000 KB | 0.000001 TB |
Binary (IEC) prefixes
Kibibytes | Tebibytes |
---|---|
0.1 KiB | 0.000000000093132257461548 TiB |
0.5 KiB | 0.000000000465661287307739 TiB |
1 KiB | 0.000000000931322574615479 TiB |
2 KiB | 0.00000000186264514923096 TiB |
4 KiB | 0.00000000372529029846191 TiB |
5 KiB | 0.00000000465661287307739 TiB |
10 KiB | 0.00000000931322574615479 TiB |
20 KiB | 0.0000000186264514923096 TiB |
30 KiB | 0.0000000279396772384644 TiB |
40 KiB | 0.0000000372529029846191 TiB |
50 KiB | 0.0000000465661287307739 TiB |
60 KiB | 0.0000000558793544769287 TiB |
70 KiB | 0.0000000651925802230835 TiB |
80 KiB | 0.0000000745058059692383 TiB |
90 KiB | 0.0000000838190317153931 TiB |
100 KiB | 0.0000000931322574615479 TiB |
200 KiB | 0.000000186264514923096 TiB |
500 KiB | 0.000000465661287307739 TiB |
800 KiB | 0.000000745058059692383 TiB |
1,000 KiB | 0.000000931322574615479 TiB |
FAQs
Is 1 kilobyte or 1 terabyte larger?
A terabyte (TB) is a billion times bigger than a kilobyte (KB). Here are the relationships between the units:
Decimal prefixes
1 TB = 109 = 1,000,000,000 KB
1 KB = 10-9 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000 = 0.000000001 TB
Binary prefixes
1 TiB = 230 = 1,073,741,824 KiB
1 KiB = 2-30 = 1 ÷ 1,073,741,824 ≈ 00000000093 TiB
How to convert from kilobyte to terabyte?
To convert data storage from kilobytes (KB) to terabytes (TB), 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-TB
conversion factor:10-9
or0.000000001
. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
terabytes (TB)
.
Binary (IEC) prefixes
- multiply it by the value of a
KiB-to-TiB
conversion factor:2-30
. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
tebibytes (TiB)
.
You now know how to convert data storage capacity from kilobytes (KB) to terabytes (TB). 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.