Data Transfer Rate Calculator
Convert between data transfer rate units including bits per second, bytes per second, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, and more. Supports both SI (decimal) and binary (IEC) prefixes. See also our Metric Prefixes Calculator and Data Storage Converter.
How to Convert Data Transfer Rates
- Enter the numeric value to convert.
- Select the source unit from the dropdown.
- Click Calculate to see the value in all other units.
- Remember: 1 byte = 8 bits, so divide bits by 8 to get bytes.
Formula
1 byte = 8 bits
SI (Decimal) Prefixes:
1 kbps = 1,000 bps
1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bps
1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 bps
1 Tbps = 1,000,000,000,000 bps
IEC (Binary) Prefixes:
1 Kibps = 1,024 bps
1 Mibps = 1,048,576 bps
1 Gibps = 1,073,741,824 bps
Conversion: value_B = value_A × (factor_A / factor_B)Example
Convert 100 Mbps to other units:
100 Mbps = 100,000,000 bps
= 12,500,000 bytes/s = 12.5 MB/s
= 100,000 kbps = 0.1 Gbps
= 11.92 MiB/s (binary)
Common Internet Speeds Reference Table
| Connection | Speed (Mbps) | MB/s | 1 GB Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSL | 10 | 1.25 | ~13 min |
| Cable | 100 | 12.5 | ~80 sec |
| Fiber | 500 | 62.5 | ~16 sec |
| Gigabit Fiber | 1000 | 125 | ~8 sec |
| WiFi 5 (ac) | 866 | 108 | ~9 sec |
| WiFi 6 (ax) | 2400 | 300 | ~3 sec |
| 5G | 1000-10000 | 125-1250 | 1-8 sec |
| Thunderbolt 4 | 40000 | 5000 | ~0.2 sec |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Mbps and MB/s?
Mbps (megabits per second) measures in bits. MB/s (megabytes per second) measures in bytes. Since 1 byte = 8 bits, divide Mbps by 8 to get MB/s. A 100 Mbps connection downloads at 12.5 MB/s.
Why do ISPs advertise in Mbps instead of MB/s?
ISPs use megabits because the numbers are 8 times larger, making speeds appear faster. A 100 Mbps plan sounds better than 12.5 MB/s, even though they are the same speed.
What is the difference between SI and binary prefixes?
SI prefixes use powers of 1000 (kilo = 1000, mega = 1,000,000). Binary (IEC) prefixes use powers of 1024 (kibi = 1024, mebi = 1,048,576). Networking uses SI; storage sometimes uses binary.
How long does it take to download a file?
Time = File size (bits) / Speed (bps). For example, a 1 GB file at 100 Mbps: 8,000,000,000 bits / 100,000,000 bps = 80 seconds.
What is bandwidth vs throughput?
Bandwidth is the maximum theoretical capacity of a connection. Throughput is the actual data rate achieved in practice, which is always lower due to overhead, latency, and congestion.