This article will show how to convert data from terabytes (TB) to kilobytes (KB). 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 a 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).
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)
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 SI prefixes[1], which are based on powers of 10, a terabyte (TB) equals 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
1 TB = 103 GB = 1,000 GB1 TB = 109 KB = 1,000,000,000 KB1 TB = 1012 B = 1,000,000,000,000 B
When using IEC binary prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 2, a terabyte (TB) equals 1,099,511,627,776 bytes.
1 TiB = 210 GiB = 1,024 GiB1 TiB = 230 KiB = 1,073,741,824 KiB1 TiB = 240 B = 1,099,511,627,776 B
TB to KB 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 kilo- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 103 (1,000) and tera- represents a multiplier of 1012 (1,000,000,000,000).
So, to convert from terabytes to kilobytes, multiply the number of terabytes (NTB) by 1,000,000,000.
NKB = NTB × 109 = NTB × 1,000,000,000
Or remember the TB-to-KB conversion factor: 1 TB = 109 = 1,000,000,000 KB
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 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 tebibytes to kibibytes, multiply the number of tebibytes (NTiB) by 1,073,741,824.
NKiB = NTiB × 230 = NTiB × 1,073,741,824
Or remember the TiB-to-KiB conversion factor: 1 TiB = 230 = 1,073,741,824 KiB
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from terabytes to kilobytes (TB to KB).
Example
Kai, a video editor 🎥, has just finished editing a series of high-definition videos for a major client. The total size of his project is 3 TB (terabytes) 💾, and he needs to purchase online storage space. Kai wants to buy only the necessary amount of storage to save costs. However, the storage service requires him to enter the storage size in KB (kilobytes) 📊.
Kai's editing software only displays file sizes in TB, so he needs to convert the total size to KB to determine how much storage space to purchase. This conversion is crucial for Kai to ensure he buys just the necessary space, avoids unnecessary expenses 💰, and successfully uploads his videos 📤.
Option 1: Using decimal (SI) prefixes
Since 1 terabyte (TB) equals 1,000,000,000 kilobytes (KB), we can convert 3 TB to kilobytes by using the following formula:
So, the 3 TB total project size, when expressed in decimal units, is equivalent to 3,000,000,000 KB.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 3 into the TB box, and you instantly get the storage value in kilobytes, in this case, 3,000,000,000 KB.
Option 2: Using binary (IEC) prefixes
Since 1 tebibyte (TiB) equals 1,073,741,824 kibibytes (KiB), we can convert 3 tebibytes to kibibytes by using the following formula:
So, the 3 TB total project size, when expressed in binary units, is equivalent to 3,221,225,472 KiB.
You can use our calculator by choosing TiB and entering 3 into the From box, choose KiB from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in kibibytes, in this case, 3,221,225,472 KiB.
According to our calculations, Kai should purchase online storage with a capacity of at least 3,221,225,472 KB to ensure he can successfully upload his 3 TB project files.
TB to KB conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from terabytes (TB) to kilobytes (KB). It covers a range from 0.1 TB to 1,000 TB, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
Decimal (SI) prefixes
| Terabytes | Kilobytes |
|---|---|
| 0.1 TB | 100,000,000 KB |
| 0.5 TB | 500,000,000 KB |
| 1 TB | 1,000,000,000 KB |
| 2 TB | 2,000,000,000 KB |
| 4 TB | 4,000,000,000 KB |
| 5 TB | 5,000,000,000 KB |
| 10 TB | 10,000,000,000 KB |
| 20 TB | 20,000,000,000 KB |
| 30 TB | 30,000,000,000 KB |
| 40 TB | 40,000,000,000 KB |
| 50 TB | 50,000,000,000 KB |
| 60 TB | 60,000,000,000 KB |
| 70 TB | 70,000,000,000 KB |
| 80 TB | 80,000,000,000 KB |
| 90 TB | 90,000,000,000 KB |
| 100 TB | 100,000,000,000 KB |
| 200 TB | 200,000,000,000 KB |
| 500 TB | 500,000,000,000 KB |
| 800 TB | 800,000,000,000 KB |
| 1000 TB | 1,000,000,000,000 KB |
Binary (IEC) prefixes
| Tebibytes | Kibibytes |
|---|---|
| 0.1 TiB | 107,374,182.4 KiB |
| 0.5 TiB | 536,870,912 KiB |
| 1 TiB | 1,073,741,824 KiB |
| 2 TiB | 2,147,483,648 KiB |
| 4 TiB | 4,294,967,296 KiB |
| 5 TiB | 5,368,709,120 KiB |
| 10 TiB | 10,737,418,240 KiB |
| 20 TiB | 21,474,836,480 KiB |
| 30 TiB | 32,212,254,720 KiB |
| 40 TiB | 42,949,672,960 KiB |
| 50 TiB | 53,687,091,200 KiB |
| 60 TiB | 64,424,509,440 KiB |
| 70 TiB | 75,161,927,680 KiB |
| 80 TiB | 85,899,345,920 KiB |
| 90 TiB | 96,636,764,160 KiB |
| 100 TiB | 107,374,182,400 KiB |
| 200 TiB | 214,748,364,800 KiB |
| 500 TiB | 536,870,912,000 KiB |
| 800 TiB | 858,993,459,200 KiB |
| 1,000 TiB | 1,073,741,824,000 KiB |
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 KB1 KB = 10-9 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000 = 0.000000001 TB
Binary prefixes
1 TiB = 230 = 1,073,741,824 KiB1 KiB = 2-30 = 1 ÷ 1,073,741,824 ≈ 00000000093 TiB
How to convert from terabyte to kilobyte?
To convert data storage from terabytes (TB) to kilobytes (KB), follow these simple steps based on the standard you are using:
- Write down the data storage value in
terabytes (TB).
Decimal (SI) prefixes
- Multiply it by the value of a
TB-to-KBconversion factor:109or1,000,000,000. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
kilobytes (KB).
Binary (IEC) prefixes
- multiply it by the value of a
TiB-to-KiBconversion factor:230or1,073,741,824. - The result from multiplication is the value of the data storage in
kibibytes (KiB).
You now know how to convert data storage capacity from terabytes (TB) to kilobytes (KB). 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.
