Data Transfer Speed Converter
Convert between bits, bytes, kilobits, megabits, gigabits and more
Conversion Results
About Data Transfer Speed Conversion
Our free online Data Transfer Speed Converter helps you quickly convert between different units of data transfer rates. Whether you’re comparing internet speeds, calculating download times, or working with network specifications, this tool provides accurate conversions between bits per second (bps), bytes per second (B/s), kilobits per second (Kbps), kilobytes per second (KB/s), megabits per second (Mbps), megabytes per second (MB/s), gigabits per second (Gbps), gigabytes per second (GB/s), and terabits per second (Tbps).
Understanding data transfer speeds is essential for optimizing network performance, estimating file download times, and comparing internet service provider offerings. With our user-friendly converter, you can easily translate between different measurement units to make informed decisions about your digital connectivity needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data, representing a 0 or 1. A byte consists of 8 bits. In data transfer speeds, bits per second (bps) measures raw data transmission rate, while bytes per second (B/s) is often used for file transfer measurements since file sizes are typically measured in bytes.
To calculate download time, divide the file size by the transfer speed. Make sure both values use the same units. For example, for a 100 MB file downloading at 10 Mbps: Convert 10 Mbps to MB/s (10 ÷ 8 = 1.25 MB/s), then divide file size by speed (100 ÷ 1.25 = 80 seconds).
Internet Service Providers typically advertise speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) because the numbers appear larger (100 Mbps vs 12.5 MB/s). File sizes are measured in bytes because computer storage is byte-addressable. This distinction can sometimes cause confusion when estimating download times.
For standard definition (SD) streaming: 3-4 Mbps. For high definition (HD) streaming: 5-8 Mbps. For 4K Ultra HD streaming: 25 Mbps or higher. These are per stream, so if multiple people are streaming simultaneously, you’ll need higher overall speeds.
Our converter uses precise mathematical conversions between data transfer units. All calculations are based on standard binary prefixes (1 KB = 1024 bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB, etc.) for consistency with how computers measure data. The tool provides accurate conversions for all practical purposes.