Both KB and MB are measurement units for data storage capacity. But which is bigger? MB Vs. KB – Are they different? The critical difference between the two units is that one KB is 1,000 bytes, whereas one MB consists of 1,000 KBs.
We will break the two units down into different factors to compare their size. Let’s read through this article!
Read also: Gb Or Mb: What Are The Main Differences?
What Are Bits And Bytes?
Both MB and KB are big measurement units. We estimate their value using bits and bytes. So what are they?
The bit is a binary digit, the smallest measurement unit of a computer memory storage system. Eight bits make up a byte. There are 256 potential values for a single byte, from zero to 255.
The smallest data unit that a computer can interpret is a byte. Since a bit had no value at the time, the computer stores everything in bytes.
The measurement methods for these units differ depending on the country. The most widely recognized definition is that each byte contains eight bits.
What Is MB?
The term “Megabyte” is a unit of measurement of one million bytes of data.Â
Since prehistoric days, people have used the word “mega,” which means “great”, to describe something exceptionally huge.
A megabyte is equal to 1,000,000 bytes or 1,024 kilobytes. Many people believe that a Megabyte equals one thousand Kilobytes, although this is not true.
What Is KB?
A KB, or kilobyte, is a multiple of the byte. We use this unit to measure the computer data memory and storage.
Some people use kilobyte as the abbreviation for a 1,000-byte capacity and refer it to the physical size of the hard drive.
Differences Between MB Vs. KB
Since they are measurement units, we will check their size to determine their differences.
Binary vs. Decimal
Before digging any further, you need to clarify the two terms: binary and decimal. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between decimal and binary bits.
In general, the binary figures are 24 points bigger than the decimal. For example, a binary KB is 1,024 bytes, but this figure for the decimal KB is only 1,000.
In this binary system, a megabyte consists of 1,048,576 bytes. In a decimal system, though, one MB equals one million bytes, and we measure the decimal MB by byte.
Size
A megabyte is 1,000 times bigger than a kilobyte in terms of memory capacity. The huge gap sets them apart from each other.
Prefixes
KB means “Kilobyte” in its complete form, and Kilo is its prefix. On the other hand, MB refers to “Megabyte” and bears the Mega prefix.
Comparison table
You can easily point out the size gap in these units. This comparison table will even make it simpler for you.
| Criteria | KB | MB |
| Definition | 1 KB equals 1,000 decimal or 1,024 binary bytes | 1 MB equals 1,000,000 decimal or 1,048,576 binary bytes |
| Size | Smaller | Bigger |
| Prefix | Kilo | Mega |
Can You Convert KB To MB?
Yes. A KB is a digital storage unit that contains 1,000 decimal bytes or 1,024 binary bytes. In base 10, an MB is 1,000 KBs.Â
There are 0.001 MBs in 1 KB. To convert from KB to MB, multiply the figure by 0.001 (or divide it by 1000).
If you find it hard to calculate the numbers, the tutorial in this video can help:
Conclusion
You now understand the difference between MB and KB and can easily deal with these units in your data. MB is 1,000 times bigger than KB. This formula can calculate the equivalent values with different measurement units.
Hopefully, you find this post helpful. Please feel free to ask if you need further information about computer storage capacity. Thank you for reading!
