A byte is a standard unit of digital information made up of 8 bits. It's the basic building block for representing data in computers, where a single byte can typically store one character — such as a letter, number, or symbol.
Bytes are the foundation for measuring file size and storage capacity. Whether you're looking at the size of a text file or the storage available on a USB drive, the number is usually expressed in bytes or its larger multiples: kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB).
In memory and storage systems, bytes play a critical role in data organization. Operating systems, applications, and databases are designed to read and write data in byte-sized chunks. As a result, understanding how bytes work is key to grasping how digital systems store, transfer, and manage information.
A bit is the smallest unit of digital information, short for "binary digit." It represents a value of either 0 or 1, forming the foundation of all data in computing systems. Bits are the building blocks of binary code, which powers everything from simple text files to complex artificial intelligence models.
In everyday use, file sizes and storage are rarely measured in bits. Instead, bits are grouped into larger units such as bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, and beyond. Even so, the bit remains a fundamental concept. It's the starting point of all digital information, forming the base upon which every file, app, or system is built. Understanding bits helps make sense of how digital devices store and process data at their core.
SI (Base 10):
Formula: Bit = Byte ÷ "Number of Bytes in 1 Bit"
Calculation: 100 × 8 = 800 Bit
Binary (Base 2):
Formula: Bit = Byte ÷ "Number of Bytes in 1 Bit"
Calculation: 100 × 8 = 800 Bit
| Byte | Bit (Binary) | Bit (SI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 8 |
| 2 | 16 | 16 |
| 3 | 24 | 24 |
| 4 | 32 | 32 |
| 5 | 40 | 40 |
| 6 | 48 | 48 |
| 7 | 56 | 56 |
| 8 | 64 | 64 |
| 9 | 72 | 72 |
| 10 | 80 | 80 |
| 11 | 88 | 88 |
| 12 | 96 | 96 |
| 13 | 104 | 104 |
| 14 | 112 | 112 |
| 15 | 120 | 120 |