Gibibyte to Kibibyte Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert gibibytes to kibibytes with our free online data storage converter.
Gibibyte to Kibibyte Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Gibibyte).
- The converted value in Kibibyte 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 Kibibyte
Converting Gibibyte to Kibibyte involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Gibibyte = 1048576 kibibytesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 gibibytes: 10 × 1048576 = 10485760 kibibytes
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 Kibibyte?
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 kibibyte (KiB) is a unit of digital information storage equal to 210 bytes, which is exactly 1,024 bytes. It uses the binary prefix 'kibi-' established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 1998. The kibibyte was created to provide an unambiguous measurement for byte multiples based on powers of 2, distinguishing it from the kilobyte (KB), which is based on the decimal prefix 'kilo-' (103 or 1,000 bytes).
Note: The Gibibyte is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Kibibyte belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Gibibyte and Kibibyte
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.). Before this standard, the SI prefix 'kilo-' (k) was ambiguously used to represent both 1000 (as per its SI definition) and 1024 in computing contexts. This led to confusion, especially when comparing storage capacities advertised by manufacturers (often using decimal prefixes) and those reported by operating systems (often using binary interpretations). The introduction of the kibibyte (KiB) aimed to resolve this ambiguity by providing a specific term for 1,024 bytes.
Common Uses for gibibytes and kibibytes
Explore the typical applications for both Gibibyte (imperial/US) and Kibibyte (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 kibibytes
Kibibytes are used in contexts where precision based on powers of 2 is necessary:
- Measuring Random Access Memory (RAM) capacity, which is typically manufactured in powers-of-2 sizes.
- Reporting file sizes and disk space usage by some operating systems (like Microsoft Windows) and file systems.
- Software development and technical documentation where exact binary multiples are crucial for calculations or specifications.
- Network file transfer protocols where block sizes might be defined in binary terms.
- Ensuring accuracy when comparing storage defined using binary prefixes (KiB, MiB, GiB) versus decimal prefixes (KB, MB, GB).
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 Kibibyte (KiB)
How many bytes are in a kibibyte (KiB)?
There are exactly 210 bytes in 1 kibibyte (KiB). This equals 1,024 bytes.
How many bits are in a kibibyte (KiB)?
Assuming the standard of 8 bits per byte, 1 kibibyte (KiB) contains 1,024 bytes * 8 bits/byte = 8,192 bits.
What is the difference between a kibibyte (KiB) and a kilobyte (KB)?
A kibibyte (KiB) represents 210 bytes (1,024 bytes), using the IEC binary prefix 'kibi-'. A kilobyte (KB) represents 103 bytes (1,000 bytes), using the SI decimal prefix 'kilo-'. A kibibyte is 2.4% larger than a kilobyte (1 KiB = 1.024 KB). Historically, KB was often used informally to mean 1024 bytes, which the KiB unit now clarifies.
How many kibibytes (KiB) are in a mebibyte (MiB)?
There are 1,024 kibibytes (KiB) in 1 mebibyte (MiB). This follows the binary prefix system where each subsequent prefix is 1024 times the previous one (1 MiB = 1024 KiB).
Why use kibibyte (KiB) instead of kilobyte (KB)?
Using kibibyte (KiB) provides clarity and removes ambiguity. When you see KiB, you know it specifically means 1,024 bytes. Kilobyte (KB) should mean 1,000 bytes according to SI standards, but its historical misuse for 1,024 bytes created confusion. KiB ensures precision, especially in technical fields like computing and data storage.
Conversion Table: Gibibyte to Kibibyte
| Gibibyte (GiB) | Kibibyte (KiB) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,048,576 |
| 5 | 5,242,880 |
| 10 | 10,485,760 |
| 25 | 26,214,400 |
| 50 | 52,428,800 |
| 100 | 104,857,600 |
| 500 | 524,288,000 |
| 1,000 | 1,048,576,000 |