Kilobyte to Exbibyte Converter
Convert kilobytes to exbibytes with our free online data storage converter.
Quick Answer
1 Kilobyte = 8.673617e-16 exbibytes
Formula: Kilobyte × conversion factor = Exbibyte
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
Our Accuracy Guarantee
All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Kilobyte to Exbibyte Calculator
How to Use the Kilobyte to Exbibyte Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilobyte).
- The converted value in Exbibyte 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 Kilobyte to Exbibyte: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Kilobyte to Exbibyte involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Kilobyte = 8.6736e-16 exbibytesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 kilobytes: 10 × 8.6736e-16 = 8.6736e-15 exbibytes
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.
Need to convert to other data storage units?
View all Data Storage conversions →What is a Kilobyte and a Exbibyte?
A kilobyte (KB) is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. The International System of Units (SI) defines the prefix kilo as 1000 (103); therefore, one kilobyte is 1000 bytes.
However, the term is also widely used in computing contexts to represent 1024 (210) bytes. This usage technically refers to a kibibyte (KiB), a unit defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifically for binary multiples.
An exbibyte (EiB) is a unit of digital information storage equal to 260 bytes, which is exactly 1,152,921,504,606,846,976 bytes. It uses the binary prefix 'exbi-' established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). One exbibyte is equivalent to 1,024 pebibytes (PiB).
Note: The Kilobyte is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Exbibyte belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Kilobyte and Exbibyte
Early computer memory was often organized in powers of two, making 1024 a convenient multiplier for calculations. This led to the common but conflicting use of "kilobyte" to mean 1024 bytes. To resolve this ambiguity, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) introduced binary prefixes (kibi-, mebi-, gibi-, etc.) in 1998. This standard designated KiB specifically for 1024 bytes and reaffirmed KB strictly for 1000 bytes. Despite the standard, adoption varies, and the dual usage sometimes causes confusion, particularly in marketing versus operating system reporting.
The prefix 'exbi-' (representing 260) was defined by the IEC in 1998 alongside other binary prefixes (kibi-, mebi-, gibi-, tebi-, pebi-). This standardization aimed to eliminate the confusion caused by using SI prefixes (like kilo-, mega-, giga-, exa-) to denote both powers of 1000 (decimal) and powers of 1024 (binary) in computing. The term 'exbibyte' specifically refers to the 260 multiple of bytes, ensuring clarity in technical contexts where binary measurements are crucial, especially as data scales reached astronomical levels.
Common Uses and Applications: kilobytes vs exbibytes
Explore the typical applications for both Kilobyte (imperial/US) and Exbibyte (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for kilobytes
The kilobyte (KB), representing 1000 bytes, is commonly used for:
- Measuring the size of small files (e.g., plain text documents, configuration files, simple icons).
- Quantifying cache sizes in processors (though sometimes KiB might be implied).
- Specifying data transfer rates in kilobytes per second (KB/s) in some contexts (though kilobits per second, kbps, is more common for network speeds).
- Used by some storage device manufacturers (like hard drives, SSDs, USB drives) to define capacity based on the decimal system.
The informal use representing 1024 bytes (correctly KiB) appeared frequently in:
- Quantifying early computer memory capacity.
- Reporting file sizes or disk space by some older operating systems or software.
When to Use exbibytes
Exbibytes are used to measure extremely large data storage capacities, particularly where precision based on powers of 2 is required. Common applications include:
- Specifying the capacity of very large-scale storage systems and data centers using binary architecture.
- Reporting storage in high-performance computing (HPC) environments dealing with massive datasets.
- Technical documentation comparing binary (EiB) and decimal (EB) storage capacities at the exa-scale.
- Theoretical discussions about future data storage technologies and large file system limits.
- Certain operating system contexts or software that strictly adhere to binary reporting for storage.
While less common in consumer marketing than the exabyte (EB), the exbibyte is vital for technical accuracy in specific fields.
Additional Unit Information
About Kilobyte (KB)
How many bytes are in a kilobyte?
According to the official SI standard, 1 kilobyte (KB) = 1000 bytes. However, historically and in some computing contexts (especially relating to RAM or older software), "kilobyte" was informally used to mean 1024 bytes. The correct term for 1024 bytes is 1 kibibyte (KiB). Always check the context or look for the specific symbol (KB vs. KiB) if precision is important.
What is the difference between KB and KiB?
- KB (kilobyte): Based on the decimal prefix 'kilo-', meaning 1000 bytes (103 bytes). This is the SI standard.
- KiB (kibibyte): Based on the binary prefix 'kibi-', meaning 1024 bytes (210 bytes). This is the IEC standard for binary multiples.
A kibibyte (KiB) is 2.4% larger than a kilobyte (KB) (1 KiB = 1.024 KB). Using KiB when referring to 1024 bytes avoids ambiguity.
Is a megabyte 1000 or 1024 kilobytes?
Similar confusion exists for larger units. Following the standards:
- A megabyte (MB) is 1000 kilobytes (KB), which equals 1,000,000 bytes (1000 * 1000).
- A mebibyte (MiB) is 1024 kibibytes (KiB), which equals 1,048,576 bytes (1024 * 1024).
Manufacturers often use MB (decimal) for capacity, while operating systems might use MiB (binary) or ambiguously use MB to mean MiB, leading to apparent discrepancies in storage size.
About Exbibyte (EiB)
How many bytes are in an exbibyte?
There are exactly 260 bytes in 1 exbibyte (EiB). This equals 1,152,921,504,606,846,976 bytes.
How many pebibytes (PiB) are in an exbibyte (EiB)?
There are 1,024 pebibytes (PiB) in 1 exbibyte (EiB). This follows the binary prefix system where each subsequent prefix is 1024 times the previous one (1 EiB = 1024 PiB).
How many gibibytes (GiB) are in an exbibyte (EiB)?
There are 230 gibibytes (GiB) in 1 exbibyte (EiB). Since 1 EiB = 260 bytes and 1 GiB = 230 bytes, the conversion is 260 / 230 = 230, which equals 1,073,741,824 GiB.
What is the difference between an exbibyte (EiB) and an exabyte (EB)?
An exbibyte (EiB) is based on powers of 2 (260 bytes), using the IEC binary prefix 'exbi-'. An exabyte (EB) is based on powers of 10 (1018 bytes), using the SI decimal prefix 'exa-'. An exbibyte is larger than an exabyte, with 1 EiB being approximately 1.15 EB (about 15% larger). EiB provides precision in binary contexts (like RAM or some OS reporting), while EB is often used in marketing storage devices.
Conversion Table: Kilobyte to Exbibyte
| Kilobyte (KB) | Exbibyte (EiB) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 |
| 1.5 | 0 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 250 | 0 |
| 500 | 0 |
| 1,000 | 0 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Kilobyte to Exbibyte?
To convert Kilobyte to Exbibyte, enter the value in Kilobyte in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our data storage converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Kilobyte to Exbibyte?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Kilobyte and Exbibyte. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Exbibyte back to Kilobyte?
Yes! You can easily convert Exbibyte back to Kilobyte by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Exbibyte to Kilobyte converter page. You can also explore other data storage conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Kilobyte and Exbibyte?
Kilobyte and Exbibyte are both standard units used in data storage measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our data storage converter for more conversion options.
For more data storage conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
📚 How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
🔢 Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for data storage and other conversions.
⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Data Storage Conversions
Other Data Storage Units and Conversions
Explore other data storage units and their conversion options:
- Bit (b) • Kilobyte to Bit
- Byte (B) • Kilobyte to Byte
- Kilobit (kb) • Kilobyte to Kilobit
- Megabit (Mb) • Kilobyte to Megabit
- Megabyte (MB) • Kilobyte to Megabyte
- Gigabit (Gb) • Kilobyte to Gigabit
- Gigabyte (GB) • Kilobyte to Gigabyte
- Terabit (Tb) • Kilobyte to Terabit
- Terabyte (TB) • Kilobyte to Terabyte
- Petabit (Pb) • Kilobyte to Petabit
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
International Electrotechnical Commission — Binary prefixes for digital storage (KiB, MiB, GiB)
International Organization for Standardization — International standards for quantities and units
Last verified: December 3, 2025