Your internet plan says 100 Mbps, but your download shows about 12 MB/s. Are you being cheated? No — it is the difference between megabits and megabytes.
In this guide
- Bits vs bytes
- The simple formula
- Speed conversion chart
- Convert data units
Bits vs bytes
A bit (b) is the smallest unit of data. A byte (B) is 8 bits. Internet speeds are sold in megabits per second (Mbps, small b), while file sizes and download managers show megabytes (MB, capital B).
The simple formula
MB/s = Mbps ÷ 8. So 100 Mbps ≈ 12.5 MB/s maximum. In practice, network overhead and Wi-Fi reduce it a little more.
Speed conversion chart
| Plan speed | Max download speed | Time to download 1 GB |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Mbps | 1.25 MB/s | ≈ 13 min 20 s |
| 25 Mbps | 3.1 MB/s | ≈ 5 min 20 s |
| 50 Mbps | 6.25 MB/s | ≈ 2 min 40 s |
| 100 Mbps | 12.5 MB/s | ≈ 1 min 20 s |
| 500 Mbps | 62.5 MB/s | ≈ 16 s |
| 1 Gbps | 125 MB/s | ≈ 8 s |
Based on 1 GB = 1,000 MB, ideal conditions.
Convert data units
Use our megabits to megabytes, megabytes to megabits and GB to MB converters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mbps the same as MBps?
No. Mbps = megabits per second; MBps (MB/s) = megabytes per second, which is 8 times larger.
How many Mbps do I need for 4K streaming?
About 25 Mbps per 4K stream is a common recommendation.
Why is my Wi-Fi slower than my plan?
Distance, walls, interference and router quality reduce Wi-Fi speed; test with a cable to compare.
