Data Transfer Conversions: Understanding Download Speeds

Understanding data transfer rates is essential when comparing internet plans or evaluating download times. Here's a guide to common data transfer conversions:

Bits vs. Bytes

• 1 Byte = 8 bits
• Internet speeds are typically measured in bits per second (bps)
• File sizes are typically measured in bytes (B)

Common Conversions

• 1 Kilobit per second (Kbps) = 1,000 bits per second (bps)
• 1 Megabit per second (Mbps) = 1,000 Kbps = 1,000,000 bps
• 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) = 1,000 Mbps = 1,000,000,000 bps
• 1 Kilobyte per second (KBps) = 8 Kbps
• 1 Megabyte per second (MBps) = 8 Mbps
• 1 Gigabyte per second (GBps) = 8 Gbps

Download Time Calculation

Download time (seconds) = File size (bytes) ÷ Download speed (bytes per second)

Example

Downloading a 1 GB (8,000,000,000 bits) file with a 50 Mbps (50,000,000 bits per second) connection:

8,000,000,000 ÷ 50,000,000 = 160 seconds = 2 minutes and 40 seconds