MB to TB Converter

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

Definitions of MB and TB

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Megabyte and Terabyte. 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, 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], 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

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 = 106 MB = 1,000,000 MB
• 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 = 220 MiB = 1,048,576 MiB
• 1 TiB = 240 B = 1,099,511,627,776 B

MB 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 table below shows all the SI prefixes and the associated symbols, multipliers, and colloquials.

The mega- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 106 (1,000,000) and tera- represents a multiplier of 1012 (1,000,000,000,000).

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

NTB = NMB × 10-6 = NMB ÷ 1,000,000

Or remember the MB-to-TB conversion factor: 1 MB = 10-6 = 0.000001 TB

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

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.

The mebi- prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 220 (1,048,576) and tebi- represents a multiplier of 240 (1,099,511,627,776).

So, to convert from mebibytes to tebibytes, divide the number of mebibytes (NMiB) by 1,048,576.

NTiB = NMiB × 2-20 = NMiB ÷ 1,048,576

Or remember the MiB-to-TiB conversion factor: 1 MiB = 2-20 = 0.00000095367431640625 TiB

Examples

Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from megabytes to terabytes (MB to TB).

Example

Patricia works as a video producer on a big-budget documentary for a top streaming service. Her crew has shot countless hours of footage in multiple countries, featuring stunning landscapes and powerful interviews. Now she’s faced with organizing and storing all the raw video material.

The total data comes out to 3.5 million megabytes. Patricia needs to convert that figure into terabytes to secure enough storage space for the project.

To accurately determine the size of the project in terabytes, she begins by converting measurements into both decimal and binary units to avoid mistakes while preparing the necessary storage space.

Option 1: Using decimal (SI) prefixes

Since 1 terabyte (TB) equals 1,000,000 megabytes (MB), we can convert 3,500,000 MB to terabytes by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{N}_\text{TB} = \frac{3{,}500{,}000}{1{,}000{,}000} = \boxed{3.5 \text{ TB}}$$

So, the 3.5 million megabytes project, when expressed in decimal units, is equivalent to 3.5 TB.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 3,500,000 into the MB box, and you instantly get the storage value in terabytes, in this case, 3.5 TB.

Option 2: Using binary (IEC) prefixes

Since 1 tebibyte (TiB) equals 1,048,576 mebibytes (MiB), we can convert 3,500,000 mebibytes to tebibytes by using the following formula:

$$\text{N}_\text{TiB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{MiB}}{1{,}048{,}576}$$

$$\text{N}_\text{TiB} = \frac{3{,}500{,}000}{1{,}048{,}576} ≈ \boxed{3.34 \text{ TiB}}$$

So, the 3.5 million mebibytes project, when expressed in binary units, is equivalent to 3.34 TiB.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by choosing MiB and entering 3,500,000 into the From box, choose TiB from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in tebibytes, in this case, 3.337860107421875 TiB.

MB to TB conversion table

The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from megabytes (MB) to terabytes (TB). 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 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.