Type a number of megabytes and this converter shows the answer in gigabytes instantly (1 MB = 0.001 GB). Below the converter you will find a ready-made MB to GB table, and further down the formula with a worked example.
Megabytes and gigabytes describe phone data plans, app and video downloads, cloud storage and email attachment limits. Mobile carriers, drive makers and macOS use decimal units, where 1 GB = 1,000 MB, so a 500 MB download uses half a gigabyte of your plan. Windows and some apps count in binary, where 1 GB means 1,024 MB; the table below shows both columns side by side.
How to use the MB to GB tool
- Enter the value in megabytes in the Value box. Decimals such as 250.5 are fine.
- The result in gigabytes appears straight away, rounded to six significant digits.
- Check the formula line under the result to see exactly how it was calculated.
- Press ⇄ to convert gigabytes back to megabytes, or pick any other unit from the lists.
- Use Copy result, or look up common values in the conversion table.
Why use ToolOrca MB to GB
- Exact factor: 1 MB = 0.001 GB
- Conversion table: MB to GB
- Formula and worked example included
- Instant result as you type
- Converts to every other data storage unit too
- Free, private and works offline
How to convert megabytes to gigabytes
In the decimal convention one megabyte is 1,000 kilobytes, or 1,000,000 bytes. In the decimal convention one gigabyte is 1,000 megabytes, or 1,000,000,000 bytes. So 1 MB = 0.001 GB exactly, and 1 GB = 1,000 MB exactly.
To convert megabytes to gigabytes, divide the number of megabytes by 1,000. Multiplying by 0.001 gives the same result.
Worked example: 500 MB ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 GB.
Quick mental math for MB to GB
Move the decimal point three places left: 2,500 MB = 2.5 GB. For binary sizes divide by 1,024 instead, which gives a slightly smaller number (2,500 MiB = 2.44 GiB).
Need the opposite direction? Use the gigabytes to megabytes converter, or switch units with the ⇄ button above.
Decimal versus binary megabytes
A decimal megabyte (MB) is 1,000,000 bytes and a binary mebibyte (MiB) is 1,048,576 bytes, about 4.9% more. The difference grows at each step: a binary gigabyte is 7.4% larger than a decimal one. That is why a file that Windows reports as 1.00 GB may be shown as 1.07 GB on a Mac. Pick MiB and GiB in the converter lists when you need the binary values.
Frequently asked questions
How many gigabytes is 500 MB?
500 MB is 0.5 GB (500 ÷ 1,000 = 0.5).
How many gigabytes is 1,024 MB?
1,024 MB is 1.024 GB (1,024 ÷ 1,000 = 1.024).
How many gigabytes is 5,000 MB?
5,000 MB is 5 GB (5,000 ÷ 1,000 = 5).
What is the formula to convert megabytes to gigabytes?
To convert megabytes to gigabytes, divide the number of megabytes by 1,000. Multiplying by 0.001 gives the same result. To go the other way, use the gigabytes to megabytes converter.
Is 1 GB 1,000 MB or 1,024 MB?
Both are in use. Under the SI (decimal) standard, used by storage makers, macOS and mobile networks, 1 GB = 1,000 MB. Windows and RAM sizes use binary units, where 1 GiB = 1,024 MiB, though Windows still writes “GB”.