Convert any bandwidth or download speed between bits and bytes per second, decimal (MB/s) and binary (MiB/s) units. Add a file size to see how long the transfer takes at that speed.
Last updated:
Internet plans are sold in megabits (Mbps); downloads usually show megabytes (MB/s).
Transfer time (optional)
%
Protocol overhead and Wi-Fi usually leave 80-95% of the advertised speed. Use 100 for the raw line rate.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Data Transfer Rate Converter
Enter the speed you want to convert, such as 300 for a 300 Mbps plan.
Pick the From and To units: Mbps for internet plans, MB/s for download windows.
Read every other unit in the results list; they update as you type.
Add a file size (optional) to see the transfer time, and lower the efficiency to model real-world overhead.
Copy the results or download the transfer-time table as CSV.
How data rate conversion works
Every data rate is an amount of data divided by time, so converting between units takes two steps: change the amount (bits, bytes or their multiples) and keep the time base (per second). The converter turns your value into bits per second, then into the unit you want.
Bits and bytes: 1 byte = 8 bits. Divide a bit rate by 8 to get a byte rate: MB/s = Mbps ÷ 8.
Binary prefixes (kibi, mebi, gibi) step by 1,024: 1 MiB/s = 1,048,576 bytes per second = 8.388608 Mbps.
Transfer time = file size in bits ÷ speed in bits per second. A 4.7 GB DVD image at 100 Mbps: 37,600,000,000 bits ÷ 100,000,000 = 376 s, about 6 min 16 s.
Common connection speeds
Connection
Rate (nominal)
MB/s
Time for 1 GB
Basic broadband
25 Mbps
3.125
5 min 20 s
Typical cable plan
300 Mbps
37.5
27 s
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
480 Mbps
60
17 s
Gigabit Ethernet / fiber
1 Gbps
125
8 s
USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
5 Gbps
625
1.6 s
10 Gigabit Ethernet
10 Gbps
1,250
0.8 s
Times are at the full nominal rate. USB and Ethernet lose part of that to encoding and protocol overhead, so real copies are slower.
Tips for reading speeds correctly
Check the letter case: Mb is megabits, MB is megabytes, 8 times larger.
Upload and download speeds are often different on cable and DSL plans; convert each separately.
For streaming, multiply the stream bitrate by the number of simultaneous viewers to find the bandwidth you need.
Storage vendors use decimal GB while many operating systems show binary GiB. Choose the matching size unit for an accurate transfer time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Mbps to MB/s?
Divide by 8, because one byte is 8 bits. A 100 Mbps connection moves at most 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5 MB/s. To go from MB/s back to Mbps, multiply by 8.
What is the difference between Mbps and MBps?
Lowercase b means bits and uppercase B means bytes. Mbps (megabits per second) is used for internet and network speeds; MB/s or MBps (megabytes per second) is what browsers and file managers usually show during a download.
What is the difference between MB/s and MiB/s?
MB/s is decimal: 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes. MiB/s is binary: 1 MiB = 1,048,576 bytes. So 1 MiB/s = 1.048576 MB/s = 8.388608 Mbps. Some operating systems label binary units as MB, which is why speeds can look about 5% lower.
How long does it take to download 1 GB at 100 Mbps?
1 GB is 8,000 megabits, so 8,000 ÷ 100 = 80 seconds at the full line rate. With 90% real-world efficiency it takes about 89 seconds.
Why is my download slower than my plan speed?
Advertised speeds are raw line rates. TCP/IP and Wi-Fi overhead, network congestion, the server's own limit and the storage speed of your device all reduce real throughput, typically to 80-95% of the plan on a good wired connection.
Is 1 Gbps the same as 1,000 Mbps?
Yes. Network speeds use decimal prefixes, so 1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps = 1,000,000 kbps. That is 125 MB/s, or about 119.2 MiB/s.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.