Why is 1 kilobyte equal to 1024 bytes?

Answer 1

For digital information the smallest unit of data measured is a bit either on or off

1 byte = 8 bits

1 kb = 1024 bytes

1 mb = 1024 kb

1 GB = 1024 mb

This 1024 comes from 2 to the 10th power

1024 = 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 X 2
One kilobyte is not 1000 bytes because it is actually 1024 bytes. Alot of people think its 1000 because they are using the same method as in Grams and Kilograms.

Answer 2

The reason a kilobyte is truly 1024 bytes instead of 1000 bytes is because the nature of computer data. Data is measured in factors of 8 instead of the normal numbering system which is based on a factor of 10. A byte is made up of 8 bits. Therefore it was decided that instead of being 1000bytes it is 1024 which can be factored by 8.