KiB
Units & Measurements abbreviation · Data Unit
| Stands for | Kibibyte |
|---|---|
| Categories | Units & Measurements |
KiB stands for Kibibyte, a data unit abbreviation.
Exactly 1,024 bytes (2^10), the binary unit defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission in 1998 to end the ambiguity of "kilobyte". Linux tools, memory specifications and technical documentation use it.
Example: The page cache uses 4 KiB pages, so each one holds exactly 4,096 bytes.
Usage notes
The name blends kilo and binary and is pronounced "KIB-ee-byte". The IEC series continues with MiB, GiB, TiB, PiB and EiB, each 1,024 times larger than the last, and is now part of the international standard IEC 80000-13. Adoption is uneven: Linux utilities use it, while Windows labels the same quantity KB.