Gibibyte to Kibibit Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert gibibytes to kibibits with our free online data storage converter.
Gibibyte to Kibibit Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Gibibyte).
- The converted value in Kibibit will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Data Storage category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Gibibyte to Kibibit
Converting Gibibyte to Kibibit involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Gibibyte = 8388608 kibibitsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 gibibytes: 10 × 8388608 = 83886080 kibibits
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Gibibyte and a Kibibit?
A gibibyte (GiB) is a unit of digital information storage equal to 230 bytes, which is exactly 1,073,741,824 bytes (or 10243 bytes). It uses the binary prefix 'gibi-' established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
A kibibit (Kib) is a unit of digital information equal to 210 bits, which is exactly 1,024 bits. It uses the binary prefix 'kibi-' established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The kibibit is closely related to the kilobit (kb), which is defined using the decimal prefix 'kilo-' (103 or 1,000 bits).
Note: The Gibibyte is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Kibibit belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Gibibyte and Kibibit
The prefix 'gibi-' (representing 230) was defined by the IEC in 1998 alongside other binary prefixes (kibi-, mebi-, tebi-, etc.). This standardization aimed to eliminate the confusion caused by using SI prefixes (like giga-) to denote both powers of 1000 (decimal, e.g., gigabyte, GB) and powers of 1024 (binary) which were common in computing. The term 'gibibyte' specifically refers to the 230 multiple of bytes.
The prefix 'kibi-' (representing 210) was defined by the IEC in 1998 alongside other binary prefixes (mebi-, gibi-, tebi-, etc.). This standardization aimed to eliminate the confusion caused by using SI prefixes (like kilo-) to denote both powers of 1000 (decimal) and powers of 1024 (binary) which were common in computing. The term 'kibibit' specifically refers to the 210 multiple of bits.
Common Uses for gibibytes and kibibits
Explore the typical applications for both Gibibyte (imperial/US) and Kibibit (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for gibibytes
Gibibytes are frequently used in contexts where binary precision is important:
- Measuring Random Access Memory (RAM) capacity accurately.
- Reporting file sizes and disk space by operating systems like Windows and some Linux distributions.
- Allocating memory and storage resources in software development and virtualization.
- Technical specifications for hardware and software requiring precise binary measurements.
Common Uses for kibibits
While less common in everyday usage than the kilobit (kb) – often used for data transfer rates (kbps) – the kibibit is important where binary precision for bit quantities is required:
- Technical specifications for memory chips or data buses where capacities are measured in powers of 2 at the bit level.
- Internal calculations within data communication protocols or hardware operating on binary multiples.
- Theoretical calculations in computer science and information theory.
- Ensuring accuracy when comparing binary (Kib) and decimal (kb) data quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Gibibyte (GiB)
How many bytes are in a gibibyte?
There are exactly 230 bytes in 1 gibibyte (GiB). This equals 1,073,741,824 bytes.
How many mebibytes (MiB) are in a gibibyte (GiB)?
There are 1,024 mebibytes (MiB) in 1 gibibyte (GiB). This is because 1 GiB = 230 bytes and 1 MiB = 220 bytes, and 230 / 220 = 210 = 1,024.
What is the difference between a gibibyte (GiB) and a gigabyte (GB)?
A gibibyte (GiB) represents 230 bytes (1,073,741,824 bytes), using the IEC binary prefix 'gibi-'. A gigabyte (GB) typically represents 109 bytes (1,000,000,000 bytes), using the SI decimal prefix 'giga-'. A gibibyte is approximately 7.37% larger than a gigabyte (1 GiB ≈ 1.074 GB). Use GiB for precision in binary contexts (like RAM, OS reporting) and GB for decimal contexts (like hard drive marketing, network speeds) or when the specific definition is clarified.
About Kibibit (Kib)
How many bits are in a kibibit?
There are exactly 210 bits in 1 kibibit (Kib). This equals 1,024 bits.
What is the difference between a kibibit (Kib) and a kilobit (kb)?
A kibibit (Kib) represents 210 bits (1,024 bits), using the binary prefix 'kibi-'. A kilobit (kb) represents 103 bits (1,000 bits), using the decimal prefix 'kilo-'. A kibibit is 2.4% larger than a kilobit (1 Kib = 1.024 kb).
What is the difference between a kibibit (Kib) and a kibibyte (KiB)?
A kibibit (Kib) measures information in bits, while a kibibyte (KiB) measures information in bytes. Assuming the standard 1 byte = 8 bits, 1 kibibyte (KiB) is equal to 8 kibibits (Kib). Both use the binary prefix 'kibi-' (representing a factor of 210 or 1,024).
Why use kibibit instead of kilobit?
Using kibibit (Kib) removes ambiguity. When you see Kib, you know it specifically means 1,024 bits. Kilobit (kb) should mean 1,000 bits according to SI standards, but historically it was sometimes used informally to mean 1,024 bits, leading to confusion. Kib provides clarity in technical contexts requiring binary precision.
Conversion Table: Gibibyte to Kibibit
| Gibibyte (GiB) | Kibibit (Kib) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8,388,608 |
| 5 | 41,943,040 |
| 10 | 83,886,080 |
| 25 | 209,715,200 |
| 50 | 419,430,400 |
| 100 | 838,860,800 |
| 500 | 4,194,304,000 |
| 1,000 | 8,388,608,000 |