Data Transfer Rate Converter
Convert internet and transfer speeds between megabits and megabytes per second and the other units.
What this tool does
Internet plans are sold in megabits per second (Mbps), but downloads and file copies show megabytes per second (MB/s). There are 8 bits in a byte, so divide Mbps by 8 to get MB/s: 100 Mbps is 12.5 MB/s. Enter a rate above to convert it between all the units.
Converts between bits per second, kilobits per second, megabits per second, gigabits per second, bytes per second, kilobytes per second, megabytes per second, gigabytes per second, mebibytes per second using exact factors, and shows the factor used.
Updates as you type, and the swap button reverses the direction.
How to use it
- Enter the value in megabits per second, or press Swap units to start from megabytes per second.
- Pick another unit from the lists if you need a different one.
- Read the result and the factor beneath it.
- Press Copy to copy the result.
Why use this converter
Converts between bits and bytes per second - kilo, mega and giga - so a 100 Mbps plan becomes a 12.5 MB/s download speed. Providers quote bits while browsers and file managers show bytes, so a fast-sounding plan can seem slow when you see MB/s. Converting shows the real speed you can expect for downloads.
Why we built it
We built the data transfer rate converter so that a 100 Mbps plan can be read as the 12.5 MB/s you will see in a download. Convert file sizes with the file size converter and general speeds with the speed converter.
For a neighbouring job there is also the Frequency Converter and the Knots to MPH Converter.
Related tools worth a look: the Download Time Calculator.
Who this tool is for
- People comparing internet plans
- Network and IT staff
- Gamers and streamers
When to use it
- Checking what an internet plan means for download time.
- Comparing network, Wi-Fi and disk speeds.
- Planning uploads and backups.
- Reading a speed test result.
How it works
One byte is 8 bits, so MB/s = Mbps ÷ 8 and Mbps = MB/s × 8. Kilo, mega and giga here are decimal (1,000, 1,000,000, 1,000,000,000), the convention for network speeds. A mebibyte per second (MiB/s) is 1,048,576 bytes per second.
| Megabits per second | Megabytes per second |
|---|---|
| 1 Mbit/s | 0.125 MB/s |
| 8 Mbit/s | 1 MB/s |
| 50 Mbit/s | 6.25 MB/s |
| 100 Mbit/s | 12.5 MB/s |
| 500 Mbit/s | 62.5 MB/s |
| 1000 Mbit/s | 125 MB/s |
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Value | A number in the "from" unit. Decimals and negative numbers are accepted. |
| From and To | Any of 9 units: Bits per second, Kilobits per second, Megabits per second, Gigabits per second, Bytes per second, Kilobytes per second, Megabytes per second, Gigabytes per second, Mebibytes per second. |
| Result | The converted value and the exact conversion factor. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Download is slower than my plan says | Plans are in bits; downloads show bytes, and overheads reduce speed. | Divide by 8 and expect 5-10% overhead. |
| MB vs Mb confusion | Capital B is bytes, lowercase b is bits. | Check the case of the letters. |
| Disk speed seems different | Disks use bytes and sometimes binary units. | Use MiB/s where it is shown. |
Assumptions and limitations
- Results are shown with practical rounding; the calculation itself uses exact factors.
- It converts a number between units - it does not know what the quantity is.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Mbps to MB/s?
Divide Mbps by 8. For example, 100 Mbps is 12.5 MB/s.
Why is my download slower than my plan?
Plans are in megabits, downloads show megabytes, and protocol overhead and Wi-Fi reduce the real rate.
What is the difference between Mb and MB?
A lowercase b means bits and an uppercase B means bytes; a byte is 8 bits.
How long will a 1 GB file take at 100 Mbps?
About 80 seconds at the full rate, since 1 GB is 8,000 megabits.
What is a Gbps?
A gigabit per second: 1,000 Mbps or 125 MB/s.
Is it free and private?
Yes. It runs in your browser.