About the kb to b calculation
One kilobyte is exactly 1,000 bytes, so converting between them is a single multiplication. Enter any value above and the result updates as you type. Decimal kilobyte — 1,000 bytes. Windows and macOS often mean 1,024 when they write "KB". Eight bits, and the base unit every other storage figure is built from.
Formula
B = KB × 1,000
1 KB = 1,000 B
1 B = 0.001 KBWorked example
To convert 500 KB, multiply by 1,000: 500 × 1,000 = 500,000 B.
Frequently asked questions
How many bytes are in a kilobyte?
There are 1,000 bytes in one kilobyte. To convert any amount, multiply the number of kilobytes by 1,000.
How do I convert bytes back to kilobytes?
Divide instead of multiplying, or equivalently multiply by 0.001. One byte is 0.001 kilobytes.
Is this conversion exact?
Yes, provided both sides use the same convention. Decimal units (KB, MB, GB) are powers of 1,000 and binary units (KiB, MiB, GiB) are powers of 1,024. Both are exact — the confusion comes from software labelling binary values with decimal names.
Where is each of these units used?
Kilobytes: decimal kilobyte — 1,000 bytes. Windows and macOS often mean 1,024 when they write "KB". Bytes: eight bits, and the base unit every other storage figure is built from.
Sources
- IEC 80000-13 — binary and decimal prefixes for information units