Mbps to MB/s Converter
Convert megabits per second (Mbps) to megabytes per second (MB/s) easily and accurately.
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Table of Contents
Understanding Mbps and MB/s
What are Mbps and MB/s?
Mbps (Megabits per second) and MB/s (Megabytes per second) are two different units used to measure data transfer speed, but they represent fundamentally different quantities:
- Mbps (Megabits per second): A standard unit for measuring network bandwidth/throughput used by ISPs and network equipment manufacturers.
- MB/s (Megabytes per second): More commonly used to measure file transfer speeds and storage performance.
The Critical Difference: Bits vs. Bytes
The fundamental difference lies in the units they measure:
- 1 Byte = 8 bits
- Therefore, 1 MB/s (Megabyte per second) = 8 Mbps (Megabits per second)
Network speeds are traditionally measured in bits (Mbps), while file sizes are typically measured in bytes (MB).
Binary vs. Decimal Standards
There are actually two different standards for defining megabytes:
- SI Standard (Decimal): 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes (1 MB/s = 8 Mbps)
- Binary Standard: 1 MiB (Mebibyte) = 1,048,576 bytes (1 MiB/s ≈ 8.389 Mbps)
Most network equipment and ISPs use the SI standard for simplicity.
Why This Matters
Understanding the difference between Mbps and MB/s is crucial for:
- Correctly estimating download times: A 100 Mbps connection will download a 100 MB file in approximately 8 seconds (not 1 second).
- Evaluating internet service plans: ISPs advertise speeds in Mbps (the smaller unit), which makes the numbers look larger.
- Setting expectations: The speed you see in download managers (usually MB/s) will be about 1/8 of your connection speed in Mbps.
Common Internet Speeds and Their Equivalents
| Internet Speed (Mbps) | Transfer Rate (MB/s) | Time to Download 1GB |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Mbps | 1.25 MB/s | ~13.5 minutes |
| 25 Mbps | 3.125 MB/s | ~5.5 minutes |
| 50 Mbps | 6.25 MB/s | ~2.7 minutes |
| 100 Mbps | 12.5 MB/s | ~1.4 minutes |
| 500 Mbps | 62.5 MB/s | ~16 seconds |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) | 125 MB/s | ~8 seconds |
Technology Standards and Their Speeds
| Technology | Speed in Mbps | Speed in MB/s |
|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | 480 Mbps | 60 MB/s |
| USB 3.0 | 5 Gbps (5,000 Mbps) | 625 MB/s |
| USB 3.1 Gen 2 | 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) | 1,250 MB/s |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) | 125 MB/s |
| Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up to 3.5 Gbps (3,500 Mbps) | Up to 437.5 MB/s |
| Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Up to 9.6 Gbps (9,600 Mbps) | Up to 1,200 MB/s |
| SATA III | 6 Gbps (6,000 Mbps) | 750 MB/s |
Common Misconceptions
- ISP advertising: When your ISP advertises "100 Mbps" internet, your maximum download speed will be around 12.5 MB/s, not 100 MB/s.
- Theoretical vs. actual speeds: The maximum speeds listed for technologies are theoretical. Real-world performance is often lower due to overhead, environmental factors, and device limitations.
- Download managers: Many download managers display speeds in MB/s, while speed tests typically show results in Mbps.
How to Convert Mbps to MB/s
To convert megabits per second (Mbps) to megabytes per second (MB/s), follow these steps:
-
1Take the number of megabits per second (Mbps)
-
2Divide by 8 (1 byte = 8 bits)
8 Mbps = 8 ÷ 8 = 1 MB/s
16 Mbps = 16 ÷ 8 = 2 MB/s
100 Mbps = 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5 MB/s
Common Examples
Example 1 8 Mbps
8 Mbps = 1 MB/s
Example 2 16 Mbps
16 Mbps = 2 MB/s
Example 3 100 Mbps
100 Mbps = 12.5 MB/s
Example 4 1000 Mbps
1000 Mbps = 125 MB/s