Network rates
How to convert data transfer rate
Transfer rates measure data per unit of time. The most important distinction is between bits per second and bytes per second.
Open the data transfer rate converterConvert bits per second to bytes per second
bytes per second = bits per second ÷ 8
A 100 Mbps connection has a theoretical rate of 12.5 MB/s, because 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5. Reversing the conversion, 25 MB/s equals 200 Mbps.
Apply the prefix as well as the bit-byte factor
Network specifications usually use decimal prefixes, where 1 Mbps is 1,000,000 bits per second. Binary rates such as MiB/s use powers of 1,024. Convert to bits or bytes per second first, then scale to the target prefix.
For example, 1 GiB/s equals 1,073,741,824 B/s, which is about 8.589934592 Gbps.
Estimate transfer time
Transfer time is size divided by rate, but the units must match. A 4 GB decimal file contains 32 gigabits. At a sustained 200 Mbps, the ideal time is 32,000 Mb ÷ 200 Mb/s = 160 seconds.
Real transfers are slower because of protocol overhead, storage speed, congestion, and changing wireless conditions.
Read rate labels carefully
- Mbps is megabits per second; MB/s is megabytes per second.
- A rate is not a file size, so retain “per second.”
- Use sustained measured speed for realistic time estimates.
Convert with ToolPixels
The free Data Transfer Rate Converter converts the supported units in your browser. Enter a value, choose the source and target units, select the needed precision, and review the displayed formula before using the result.