Why 1 KB is 1024 Bytes, and so on up to 1 TB = 1024 GB:

🔍 Why 1 KB is 1024 Bytes and Not 1000?

When we talk about digital storage—like kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB)—you might wonder:

“Why does 1 KB equal 1024 bytes and not just 1000 bytes?”

🧠 The Real Reason: It’s All About Binary

Computers don’t think in decimal (base 10) like humans do. Instead, they work in binary (base 2), meaning everything is calculated using 1s and 0s.

🔢 Binary Math Example:

In the decimal system, 1 thousand is 10³ = 1000
In the binary system, the closest number to 1000 is 2¹⁰ = 1024

So in computers:

1 KB = 2¹⁰ = 1024 Bytes
Because that’s how memory is addressed in binary.

📚 Storage Units Explained

Let’s go step-by-step:

Unit	Full Form	Calculation	Binary Value
1 Byte	—	—	Smallest unit (8 bits)
1 KB	Kilobyte	1024 Bytes	2¹⁰
1 MB	Megabyte	1024 KB	2²⁰
1 GB	Gigabyte	1024 MB	2³⁰
1 TB	Terabyte	1024 GB	2⁴⁰

So it’s always 1024, not 1000, because:

📌 Computers store and process data in powers of 2.

💡 Then Why Do Some Devices Show 1GB = 1000MB?

Great question!

Some storage manufacturers (like for hard drives or USBs) use the decimal system (base 10) for marketing:

1 KB = 1000 Bytes
1 MB = 1000 KB
1 GB = 1000 MB

That’s why a "500 GB" hard drive shows up as around 465 GB on your computer—it’s actually using the binary system (1024), while the label used decimal.

🎯 In Short:

1 KB = 1024 Bytes because computers count using binary (base 2).
Each level (KB → MB → GB → TB) multiplies by 1024.
This is the true way storage works inside your devices.

Why 1 KB is 1024 Bytes and Not 1000?