📡 Bitrate Converter
Convert between bps, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, and byte-per-second rates. Understand network speeds and file transfer times.
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Common Bitrate Conversions
| Input | Unit | Result | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | Megabits per second | 12.5 | Megabytes per second |
| 1 | Gigabits per second | 1000 | Megabits per second |
| 25 | Megabytes per second | 200 | Megabits per second |
| 1000 | Megabits per second | 1 | Gigabits per second |
| 56 | Kilobits per second | 56000 | Bits per second |
| 1 | Gigabytes per second | 8 | Gigabits per second |
Formula Reference
Key relationship: 1 byte = 8 bits 1 Mbps = 0.125 MB/s • 100 Mbps = 12.5 MB/s • 1 Gbps = 125 MB/s Download time estimate: time (s) = file_size_MB × 8 ÷ speed_Mbps Example: 1 GB file on 100 Mbps connection = 1000 × 8 ÷ 100 = 80 seconds
About Bitrate Conversions
Bitrate (or data rate) measures how much data is transmitted per second. Network speeds — home internet, mobile data, Wi-Fi — are advertised in bits per second (bps) and its multiples: Kbps, Mbps, Gbps. File sizes, on the other hand, are measured in bytes. Since one byte equals 8 bits, a 100 Mbps internet connection transfers files at a maximum of 12.5 MB/s (megabytes per second). Confusing bits and bytes is one of the most common sources of disappointment when downloading files.
ISPs consistently advertise speeds in megabits (Mbps), not megabytes (MBps). When a download manager shows transfer rate in MB/s, it is reporting bytes — divide by 8 to compare with your advertised plan speed. A '200 Mbps' plan delivers a theoretical maximum of 25 MB/s. Practical speeds are typically 70–90% of the advertised maximum due to protocol overhead, network congestion, and server limitations.
Streaming platforms publish specific bitrate requirements: Netflix recommends 3 Mbps for SD, 5 Mbps for HD, and 25 Mbps for 4K. Zoom video calls use 1.8–2.5 Mbps. A 1080p video file encoded at 8 Mbps will take about 1.25 seconds per second of video to transfer on a 10 Mbps connection. Understanding bitrate helps size bandwidth requirements for live streaming, video editing workflows, and cloud storage pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my download speed slower than my plan speed?
ISPs advertise speeds in megabits (Mbps), but download managers report in megabytes (MB/s). Divide your plan speed by 8 to find the maximum MB/s. A 200 Mbps plan downloads at most 25 MB/s under ideal conditions. Real speeds are further reduced by protocol overhead, Wi-Fi signal quality, server upload limits, and network congestion during peak hours.
How do I calculate how long a download will take?
Use: time in seconds = (file size in MB × 8) ÷ connection speed in Mbps. For a 2 GB (2,000 MB) file on a 100 Mbps connection: (2,000 × 8) ÷ 100 = 160 seconds (about 2.7 minutes) at full speed. Real downloads are typically 70–85% of this theoretical maximum.
What is the difference between Mbps and MBps?
Mbps = megabits per second (lowercase b). MBps = megabytes per second (uppercase B). Since 1 byte = 8 bits, 1 MBps = 8 Mbps. Network speeds use Mbps; file sizes and transfer software typically use MB/s (MBps). Mixing these up is extremely common and the source of much confusion about internet speed expectations.
What internet speed do I need for streaming 4K video?
Netflix recommends at least 25 Mbps for 4K Ultra HD streaming. Disney+ and Apple TV+ require 25 Mbps. YouTube 4K works at 20 Mbps but prefers 35+ Mbps. If multiple people stream simultaneously or you use the connection for gaming and video calls at the same time, plan for 50–100 Mbps total to avoid buffering.
What is gigabit internet?
Gigabit internet refers to service delivering approximately 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) download speed, or up to 125 MB/s. It is primarily delivered via fiber-optic connections. At 1 Gbps, a 4K movie (about 15–25 GB) downloads in 2–3 minutes. Gigabit is most beneficial for large households with many simultaneous users or professionals who regularly transfer large files.
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All conversion results are provided for general informational purposes only. Our formulas use internationally recognized conversion factors; however, rounding may affect precision. Do not rely on these results for professional, medical, legal, or engineering decisions without independent verification. Read our full disclaimer.