What is the smallest unit of data storage?

The smallest unit of data storage is the bit. A bit, short for binary digit, is the most basic unit of data in computing and digital communications. It can represent one of two values: 0 or 1, which corresponds to the binary system used by computers.

All larger units of data storage, such as bytes, kilobytes, and megabytes, are built on combinations of bits. For instance, a byte consists of 8 bits and is capable of representing 256 different values. Therefore, understanding that bits are the foundational building blocks of data storage helps clarify why they are considered the smallest unit. Larger units like kilobytes and megabytes build on this basic concept, but they do not represent the smallest measurable amount of data.