glossary

Megabyte


Megabyte - The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: 1048576 bytes (10242) generally for computer memory;[1][2] and one million bytes (106, see prefix mega-) generally for computer storage.[1][3] The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000 000", with exceptions allowed for the base-two meaning.[3] In rare cases, it is used to mean 1000×1024 (1024000) bytes.[3] It is commonly abbreviated as Mbyte or MB (compare Mb, for the megabit).

Technical Terms