Gigabytes (GB) to Megabytes (MB) Converter
Convert gigabytes to megabytes.
1 GB = 1,000 MB
How to convert GB to MB
File sizes here use the decimal (SI) system, the same one drive makers and network providers use. In that system 1 Gigabyte is 109 bytes and 1 Megabyte is 106 bytes. Divide one by the other and you get the ratio between the two units: 109 ÷ 106 = 103.
Gigabyte is the bigger unit, so you multiply. Every GB holds 1,000 MB, which means the decimal point moves 3 places to the right.
These two sit side by side on the ladder (B → KB → MB → GB → TB → PB → EB → ZB → YB → RB → QB), so there is nothing to work out beyond remembering that every step is a factor of 1,000.
The formula
MB = GB × 1,0001 GB = 1,000 MB
Worked example 1: Converting 4.7 GB
4.7 GB × 1,000 = 4,700 MBThe decimal point moves 3 places to the right.
4.7 GB is the capacity of a single-layer DVD.
Worked example 2: Converting 0.5 GB
0.5 GB × 1,000 = 500 MBThe decimal point moves 3 places to the right.
Worked example 3: Converting 12.75 GB
12.75 GB × 1,000 = 12,750 MBThe decimal point moves 3 places to the right.
Need the other direction? Open the MB to GB converter.
GB to MB examples
4.7 GB is the capacity of a single-layer DVD. In megabytes that is 4,700 MB.
| GB | MB |
|---|---|
| 1 GB | 1,000 MB |
| 2.5 GB | 2,500 MB |
| 10 GB | 10,000 MB |
| 50 GB | 50,000 MB |
| 100 GB | 100,000 MB |
| 500 GB | 500,000 MB |
| 1,000 GB | 1,000,000 MB |
Where GB to MB comes up
A gigabyte is 1,000 megabytes, about 250 photos at 4 MB each. Gigabytes are the language of phone storage, RAM, mobile data plans, game installs and USB sticks.
A megabyte is 1,000 kilobytes, about a minute of MP3 audio at 128 kbps. Megabytes are what you see on photos, PDFs, songs and slide decks, and they sit behind most email attachment and upload limits.
Going from gigabytes down to megabytes always gives a bigger number, because the unit you land on is smaller. It is the usual direction when a limit or a form asks for a smaller unit than the one you have in mind.
GB to MB FAQ
How many megabytes are in 1 gigabyte?
There are 1,000 megabytes in 1 gigabyte, so 1 GB = 1,000 MB.
Is GB to MB decimal or binary?
This page is decimal (SI), where 1 KB = 1,000 B. Operating systems often count in powers of 1,024 and still print KB, MB or GB, when they really mean KiB, MiB and GiB. At GB the two systems differ by about 7.4%.
How do I convert MB to GB?
Go the other way: divide by 1,000, which moves the decimal point 3 places to the left. The swap button on the converter does it for you.