Gigabytes to Megabytes Converter
Convert gigabytes to megabytes and understand the difference between decimal (1000) and binary (1024) storage units.
Result
Megabytes (MB)
1 Gigabytes (GB) = 1024 Megabytes (MB)
How to convert Gigabytes (GB) to Megabytes (MB)?
Note: Storage conversions are commonly shown in two standards: decimal (SI) and binary (IEC).
- Decimal (SI): 1 GB = 1000 MB
- Binary (IEC): 1 GiB = 1024 MiB (often shown as “1024 MB per GB” in some tools)
This converter uses a 1024-based factor as specified in the page settings.
Formula (1024-based): Megabytes (MB) = Gigabytes (GB) × 1024
Step-by-Step Calculation (1024-based)
- Take the number of Gigabytes (GB) you want to convert (e.g., 5).
- Multiply that value by 1024.
- The result is the value in Megabytes (MB). (Example: 5 × 1024 = 5120 MB).
Decimal vs Binary: which one should you use?
Decimal (SI) is common in storage marketing and plan labels:
- 1 GB = 1000 MB
- MB = GB × 1000
Binary (IEC) is common in operating systems and some software:
- 1 GiB = 1024 MiB
- MiB = GiB × 1024
Quick tip: If you want a result that matches provider/marketing labels, use 1000-based. If you want a result that matches binary calculations, use 1024-based (GiB→MiB).
Real-world use cases (downloads, uploads, and file limits)
- Upload limits: If a site allows 200 MB, that’s 0.2 GB in decimal terms (200 ÷ 1000), but in 1024-based terms it’s about 0.195 GB (200 ÷ 1024).
- App size or file transfers: Converting GB→MB helps estimate how many MB a 2.5 GB file will show in a download manager.
- Storage planning: When comparing “GB” on a plan vs what software reports, the 1000 vs 1024 difference explains small mismatches.
How to use this converter?
Common GB to MB Conversions (1024-based)
Quick reference guide for common sizes using a 1024-based factor.
Note: 1000 vs 1024
GB to MB Conversion Table (1024-based)
| Gigabytes (GB) Input | Megabytes (MB) Result |
|---|---|
| 0.25 GB | 256 MB |
| 0.5 GB | 512 MB |
| 1 GB | 1024 MB |
| 1.5 GB | 1536 MB |
| 2 GB | 2048 MB |
| 5 GB | 5120 MB |
| 10 GB | 10240 MB |
| 20 GB | 20480 MB |
| 50 GB | 51200 MB |
| 100 GB | 102400 MB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert GB to MB?
If you mean decimal labeling, multiply GB by 1000 to get MB. If you’re using a 1024-based calculation, multiply by 1024 (commonly aligned with GiB→MiB).
How many MB is 1 GB?
In decimal terms, 1 GB = 1000 MB. Using a 1024-based calculation, 1 × 1024 = 1024 MB (more precisely: 1 GiB = 1024 MiB).
How many MB is 5 GB?
Using a 1024-based calculation: 5 × 1024 = 5120 MB. In decimal labeling: 5 GB = 5000 MB.
Why do some places say 1 GB = 1000 MB?
That’s the decimal (SI) standard used in marketing and many storage plans. Binary calculations use 1024 (IEC units like GiB/MiB).
Is this conversion exact?
It’s exact for the chosen factor. 1024-based conversions are exact in the binary system (GiB→MiB). Decimal labeling commonly uses 1000 (GB→MB).