Convert between Mbps, Gbps, Kbps, MB/s, GB/s, and KB/s. Includes download time calculator and connection speed reference table.
Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) while download speeds show megabytes per second (MB/s)—a factor-of-8 difference that confuses millions of users. Your ISP advertises 100 Mbps but your downloads show 12.5 MB/s, and both numbers are correct because 8 bits = 1 byte.
This Mbps Bandwidth Converter translates between all common bandwidth and transfer rate units: bps, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, Tbps (bit-based) and KB/s, MB/s, GB/s (byte-based). Enter a speed in any unit and see the equivalent in all others instantly.
A built-in download time calculator estimates how long it takes to download a file of any size at the current speed. The connection speed reference table lists common connection types from 3G to Thunderbolt 4 with their typical speeds and 1 GB download times, making it easy to compare your connection against benchmarks. It also gives practical context for planning uploads, backups, and media downloads reliably.
The bits/bytes confusion leads to mismatched expectations about internet speed and download times. Network administrators, gamers, and home users all benefit from instant Mbps↔MB/s conversion.
The download time calculator and connection reference table add practical value beyond simple unit conversion, helping users understand what their bandwidth numbers actually mean. This makes troubleshooting, plan selection, and performance communication much easier across technical and nontechnical audiences.
Bits to bytes: 1 byte = 8 bits 1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bits/s = 125,000 bytes/s ≈ 0.125 MB/s Download time (seconds) = File size (bits) ÷ Speed (bits/s)
Result: 12.5 MB/s | 100,000 Kbps | 0.1 Gbps
100 Mbps = 100,000,000 bits/s. Divide by 8 to get 12,500,000 bytes/s = 12.5 MB/s. A 1 GB file takes 80 seconds at this speed.
The bit is the fundamental unit of digital information (0 or 1). A byte is 8 bits—enough to represent one ASCII character. Networking has historically measured bandwidth in bits per second, while storage and file transfers use bytes. This dual convention creates the perpetual Mbps vs MB/s confusion.
Broadband is officially defined as 25 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload (FCC, 2024 proposed upgrade to 100/20). Basic streaming needs 5-10 Mbps, HD needs 10-25 Mbps, and 4K needs 25+ Mbps per stream. For households with multiple users and devices, 200+ Mbps provides a comfortable buffer.
Your effective speed is limited by the slowest link in the chain: ISP plan, modem, router, Wi-Fi / ethernet, device NIC, and the remote server. A 1 Gbps plan won't help if your WiFi router tops out at 300 Mbps, or if the server you're downloading from limits transfers to 50 Mbps.
Mbps = megabits per second (bandwidth). MB/s = megabytes per second (transfer rate). 1 MB/s = 8 Mbps because 1 byte = 8 bits.
Mbps gives a larger number (8× higher), making the speed look faster. It is also the traditional unit for network bandwidth measurement in telecommunications.
100 Mbps is sufficient for most households with 3-5 devices streaming simultaneously. It downloads 1 GB in about 80 seconds.
Netflix recommends 25 Mbps for 4K UHD streaming per device. Multiple concurrent 4K streams need proportionally more bandwidth.
Advertised speeds are "up to" maximums. Wi-Fi interference, distance from router, network congestion, and server-side limits all reduce actual throughput.
Gigabits per second = 1,000 Mbps. Fiber internet plans increasingly offer 1 Gbps or more.