Use the converter above to switch between MB (Megabytes) and GB (Gigabytes) in real time. No sign-up, no ads, no delay — just type a number and get your result instantly.
Quick Answer
- 1 GB = 1,024 MB (binary / used by operating systems like Windows)
- 1 GB = 1,000 MB (decimal / used by storage manufacturers and data plans)
This is the single biggest source of confusion in MB-to-GB conversion, and it's why your phone might report less storage than the box promised — manufacturers use 1,000 MB = 1 GB (decimal, SI standard), while your operating system uses 1,024 MB = 1 GB (binary standard, technically called a "gibibyte" or GiB).
Our converter uses 1 GB = 1,024 MB by default, matching how Windows, macOS, and most software report storage. Toggle to decimal mode if you need the manufacturer/marketing standard.
MB to GB Conversion Table
| MB | GB (binary, ÷1024) | GB (decimal, ÷1000) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MB | 0.00098 GB | 0.001 GB |
| 10 MB | 0.00977 GB | 0.01 GB |
| 50 MB | 0.0488 GB | 0.05 GB |
| 100 MB | 0.0977 GB | 0.1 GB |
| 250 MB | 0.2441 GB | 0.25 GB |
| 500 MB | 0.4883 GB | 0.5 GB |
| 512 MB | 0.5 GB | 0.512 GB |
| 750 MB | 0.7324 GB | 0.75 GB |
| 1,000 MB | 0.9766 GB | 1 GB |
| 1,024 MB | 1 GB | 1.024 GB |
| 2,048 MB | 2 GB | 2.048 GB |
| 5,000 MB | 4.8828 GB | 5 GB |
| 10,000 MB | 9.7656 GB | 10 GB |
How to Convert MB to GB (Formula)
Binary (Standard for Computers)
GB = MB ÷ 1,024 Example: 2,048 MB ÷ 1,024 = 2 GB
Decimal (Standard for Data Plans)
GB = MB ÷ 1,000 Example: 5,000 MB ÷ 1,000 = 5 GB
To convert GB back to MB, multiply instead:
MB = GB × 1,024 (binary)
MB = GB × 1,000 (decimal)Example: 3 GB × 1,024 = 3,072 MB
What Does This Look Like in Real Life?
- 1 MB ≈ one small photo, or about 1 minute of MP3 audio at low quality
- 10 MB ≈ a few high-res smartphone photos, or 2–3 minutes of a podcast
- 100 MB ≈ roughly 20 photos, or about 1–2 minutes of standard-definition video
- 500 MB ≈ enough to stream about 30–60 minutes of music, or send ~100 photos
- 1 GB (1,024 MB) ≈ around 200–300 photos, roughly 6–7 minutes of 4K video, or about 3 hours of music streaming
- 1 GB of mobile data typically covers ~2 hours of casual social media browsing, ~200 songs streamed, or ~2 hours of standard-def video. See our full guide on app data usage for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1,000 MB or 1,024 MB equal to 1 GB?
Both are used, depending on context. Storage manufacturers, ISPs, and mobile carriers use the decimal standard (1,000 MB = 1 GB). Operating systems and most software use the binary standard defined by NIST (1,024 MB = 1 GB). This is why a "500 GB" hard drive shows up as roughly 465 GB in Windows.
Why does my hard drive show less space than advertised?
The drive manufacturer calculated capacity using 1,000 MB = 1 GB (decimal), but your computer's operating system displays it using 1,024 MB = 1 GB (binary). The data is all there — it's just a difference in how the units are defined.
How many MB is 1 GB of phone data?
Using the standard carriers apply, 1 GB = 1,000 MB. Most phone data plans use this decimal definition.
What's the difference between MB, GB, MiB, and GiB?
MB and GB technically refer to decimal units (base 1,000), while MiB (mebibyte) and GiB (gibibyte) refer to binary units (base 1,024). In everyday use, "MB" and "GB" are often used loosely to mean either — learn more about MB, GB, and KB.
How do I convert GB to MB?
Multiply the GB value by 1,024 (binary) or 1,000 (decimal). For example, 4 GB × 1,024 = 4,096 MB.
Is a bigger MB number always more storage than a smaller GB number?
Not necessarily — compare them by first converting to the same unit. For example, 900 MB is less than 1 GB, but 1,100 MB is more than 1 GB.