MB to GB Converter

This article will show you how to convert data from megabytes (MB) to gigabytes (GB). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.

Definitions of MB and GB

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Megabyte and Gigabyte. Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.

What is a 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

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 megabyte (MB) equals 1,048,576 bytes.

• 1 MiB = 210 KiB = 1,024 KiB
• 1 MiB = 220 B = 1,048,576 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.

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 = 103 MB = 1,000 MB
• 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 = 210 MiB = 1,024 MiB
• 1 GiB = 230 B = 1,073,741,824 B

MB 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 mega- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 106 (1,000,000) and giga- represents a multiplier of 109 (1,000,000,000).

So, to convert from megabytes to gigabytes, divide the number of megabytes (NMB) by 1,000.

NGB = NMB × 10-3 = NMB ÷ 1,000

Or remember the MB-to-GB conversion factor: 1 MB = 0.001 GB

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

The mebi- prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 220 (1,048,576) and gibi- represents a multiplier of 230 (1,073,741,824).

So, to convert from mebibytes to gibibytes, divide the number of mebibytes (NMiB) by 1,024.

NGiB = NMiB × 2-10 = NMiB ÷ 1,024

Or remember the MiB-to-GiB conversion factor: 1 MiB = 2-10 = 0.0009765625 GiB

Examples

Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from megabytes to gigabytes (MB to GB)?

Example

John is a photographer who has completed a photo shoot and now has a folder containing 300 high-quality photos. Each photo file is approximately 8 MB in size. He needs to determine how much total space this folder will occupy in gigabytes on his computer.

First, calculate the total size of the photo album folder in megabytes.

$$\text{Folder size} = 300 \times 8 \text{ MB} = \boxed{2{,}400 \text{ MB}}$$

To determine the total folder size in gigabytes, we will convert using decimal and binary units to see the differences between two standards.

Option 1: Using decimal (SI) prefixes

Since 1 gigabyte (GB) equals 1,000 megabytes (MB), we can convert 2,400 MB to gigabytes by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{N}_\text{GB} = \frac{2{,}400}{1{,}000} = \boxed{2.4 \text{ GB}}$$

So, the 2,400 MB folder, when expressed in decimal units, is equivalent to 2.4 GB.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 2400 into the MB box, and you instantly get the storage value in gigabytes, in this case, 2.4 GB.

Option 2: Using binary (IEC) prefixes

Since 1 gibibyte (GiB) equals 1,024 mebibytes (MiB), we can convert 2,400 mebibytes to gibibytes by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{N}_\text{GiB} = \frac{2{,}400}{1{,}024} = \boxed{2.34375 \text{ GiB}}$$

So, the 2,400 MiB folder, when expressed in binary units, is equivalent to 2.34375 GiB.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by choosing MiB and entering 2400 into the From box, choose GiB from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in gibibytes, in this case, 2.34375 GiB.

MB to GB conversion table

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

Decimal (SI) prefixes

Binary (IEC) prefixes

FAQs

You now know how to convert data storage capacity from megabytes (MB) 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.