A byte, a common unit of computer storage, holds the equivalent of a single character, such as a letter (“A”), a number (“2”), a symbol (“$”), a decimal point, or a space. It is usually equivalent to eight “data bits” and one “parity bit.” A bit (a binary digit), the smallest unit of information in a digital computer, is equivalent to a single “0” or “1”. The parity bit is used to check for errors in the bits making up the byte. Eight data bits per byte is the most common size used by computer manufacturers.