TB to MB Converter

This article will show how to convert data from terabytes (TB) to megabytes (MB). 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 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 GB
• 1 TB = 106 MB = 1,000,000 MB
• 1 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 GiB
• 1 TiB = 220 MiB = 1,048,576 MiB
• 1 TiB = 240 B = 1,099,511,627,776 B

TB 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 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 terabytes to megabytes, multiply the number of terabytes (NTB) by 1,000,000.

NMB = NTB × 106 = NTB × 1,000,000

Or remember the TB-to-MB conversion factor: 1 TB = 106 = 1,000,000 MB

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 tebibytes to mebibytes, multiply the number of tebibytes (NTiB) by 1,048,576.

NMiB = NTiB × 220 = NTiB × 1,048,576

Or remember the TiB-to-MiB conversion factor: 1 TiB = 220 = 1,048,576 MiB

Examples

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

Example

Jordan is a video producer 🎥 working on a new project for a client. He needs to deliver a collection of high-resolution video files 📁. The client has specified that the total size of the files should not exceed 600,000 MB (megabytes) 🚫.

Jordan's editing software only displays the file sizes in TB (terabytes) 📏, and he sees that his total file size is 0.5 TB. Without converting this to MB, he can't confirm if his videos meet the client's requirements ❓. This conversion is essential for Jordan to ensure his files comply with the client's specifications ✅.

Option 1: Using decimal (SI) prefixes

Since 1 terabyte (TB) equals 1,000,000 megabytes (MB), we can convert 0.5 TB to megabytes by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{N}_\text{MB} = 0.5 \times 1{,}000{,}000 = \boxed{500{,}000 \text{ MB}}$$

So, the 0.5 TB total file size, when expressed in decimal units, is equivalent to 500,000 MB.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 0.5 into the TB box, and you instantly get the storage value in megabytes, in this case, 500,000 MB.

Option 2: Using binary (IEC) prefixes

Since 1 tebibyte (TiB) equals 1,048,576 mebibytes (MiB), we can convert 0.5 tebibytes to mebibytes by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{N}_\text{MiB} = 0.5 \times 1{,}048{,}576 ≈ \boxed{524{,}288 \text{ MiB}}$$

So, the 0.5 TB total file size, when expressed in binary units, is equivalent to 524,288 MiB.

Alternatively, you can use our calculator by choosing TiB and entering 0.5 into the From box, choose MiB from the To unit box, and you instantly get the storage value in gibibytes, in this case, 524,288 MiB.

From our calculations, the file size reported by the editing software is between 500,000 and 524,288 MB, which means it just meets the client's requirements.

TB to MB conversion table

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

Binary (IEC) prefixes

FAQs

You now know how to convert data storage capacity from terabytes (TB) 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.