Terabytes to Gigabytes Converter
Convert terabytes to gigabytes and understand the difference between decimal (1000) and binary (1024) storage units.
Result
Gigabytes (GB)
1 Terabytes (TB) = 1024 Gigabytes (GB)
How to convert Terabytes (TB) to Gigabytes (GB)?
Important: Storage conversions are commonly shown in two standards: decimal (SI) and binary (IEC).
- Decimal (SI): 1 TB = 1000 GB
- Binary-style (base-2): 1 TiB = 1024 GiB (often displayed as 1024-based “GB” in some tools)
This converter uses a 1024-based factor as specified in the page settings.
Formula (1024-based): GB = TB × 1024
Step-by-Step Calculation (1024-based)
- Take the number of Terabytes (TB) you want to convert (e.g., 2).
- Multiply that value by 1024.
- The result is the value in Gigabytes (GB). (Example: 2 × 1024 = 2048 GB).
Decimal vs Binary: which one should you use?
Decimal (SI) is commonly used on drive labels and storage plans:
- 1 TB = 1000 GB
- GB = TB × 1000
Binary (IEC) is commonly used in operating systems and some software:
- 1 TiB = 1024 GiB
- GiB = TiB × 1024
Quick tip: If you want a result that matches drive packaging or cloud plan labels, use the 1000-based decimal standard. If you want a result that matches binary calculations, use the 1024-based standard (TiB→GiB).
Why does a “1 TB” drive show less space than advertised?
A drive labeled 1 TB may show around 931 GiB in your operating system.
Why? Manufacturers often define 1 TB as 1000 GB (decimal), while many systems display storage using binary units (GiB).
Example: 1 TB (decimal) = 1000 GB. Converting to GiB: 1000 ÷ 1.073741824 ≈ 931.32 GiB.
Formatting and filesystem overhead can reduce the displayed amount slightly further.
Real-world use cases
- SSD / hard drive buying: A 2 TB drive is typically 2000 GB by label (decimal), but may appear around 1862 GiB in many OS displays.
- Backup planning: If you have 3.5 TB of data, using decimal GB (×1000) often matches how drives and plans are marketed.
- Cloud storage pricing: Many providers describe GB/TB in decimal (1000-based), so “1 TB” frequently means 1000 GB in plan terms.
How to use this converter?
Common TB to GB Conversions (1024-based)
Quick reference guide for common storage sizes using a 1024-based factor.
Note: Drive labels may use decimal units
TB to GB Conversion Table (1024-based)
| Terabytes (TB) Input | Gigabytes (GB) Result |
|---|---|
| 0.25 TB | 256 GB |
| 0.5 TB | 512 GB |
| 1 TB | 1024 GB |
| 2 TB | 2048 GB |
| 4 TB | 4096 GB |
| 8 TB | 8192 GB |
| 10 TB | 10240 GB |
| 12 TB | 12288 GB |
| 16 TB | 16384 GB |
| 20 TB | 20480 GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert TB to GB?
If you mean decimal storage labels, multiply TB by 1000 to get GB. If you’re using a 1024-based (binary-style) calculation, multiply by 1024 (commonly aligned with TiB→GiB).
How many GB is 1 TB?
In decimal terms, 1 TB equals 1000 GB. In a 1024-based calculation, you’ll often see 1 TB shown as 1024 GB in some tools (more precisely: 1 TiB = 1024 GiB).
How many GB is 2 TB?
In decimal terms, 2 TB equals 2000 GB. Using a 1024-based calculation, 2 × 1024 = 2048 GB.
Why do hard drives show less space than advertised?
Manufacturers often use decimal units (1000-based), while many computers display storage using binary units (1024-based), so the displayed number can look smaller.
Is this conversion exact?
It’s exact for the chosen factor. A 1024-based conversion is exact in the binary system (TiB→GiB). For TB→GB, many manufacturers use decimal (1 TB = 1000 GB).