Data Transfer Rate Converter

Convert bandwidth speeds and estimate file transfer times.

Convert Speed

Mbps0
MB/s0
Gbps0
GB/s0

Megabits vs. Megabytes

One of the most common sources of confusion in technology is the difference between a "bit" and a "byte." Internet Service Providers (ISPs) advertise internet speeds in Megabits per second (Mbps), while your computer displays file sizes and download speeds in Megabytes per second (MB/s).

Because there are 8 bits in a single byte, a connection of 100 Mbps does not mean you can download a 100 MB file in one second. You must divide the Mbps by 8. So, a 100 Mbps connection translates to a maximum theoretical download speed of 12.5 MB/s.

Look at the casing: A lowercase 'b' stands for bits (Mbps). An uppercase 'B' stands for Bytes (MB/s).

Practical File Transfer Expectations

Understanding data transfer rates helps you set realistic expectations for downloading games, movies, and large datasets.

Internet Speed (Advertised) Actual Download Speed Time to DL 50GB Game
50 Mbps 6.25 MB/s ~2 hours 15 mins
200 Mbps 25 MB/s ~33 minutes
1 Gbps (Gigabit) 125 MB/s ~6 minutes 40 secs

Note that these are theoretical maximums. Real-world speeds are often lower due to network congestion, Wi-Fi interference, and server limits.