Data Transfer Rate Converter
Convert between bps, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, MB/s, and GB/s instantly.
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Popular conversions
About this data transfer rate converter
This tool converts between 6 common data transfer rate units, from bits per second up to gigabytes per second. Pick any two units, enter a value, and the result updates instantly — every conversion happens with simple arithmetic directly in your browser, so there's no network request, no waiting, and it keeps working even if you lose your internet connection.
Bits vs. bytes — the most common mix-up
Internet and network speeds are almost always advertised in bits per second (Mbps, Gbps), while file sizes and download progress bars are almost always shown in bytes (MB, GB). Since 1 byte = 8 bits, a 100 Mbps connection maxes out around 12.5 MB/s, not 100 MB/s — this converter handles the 8x conversion between the two automatically instead of you doing the division by hand.
Units covered
- Bit per Second (bps) — the smallest unit of data transfer rate, a single bit moved per second.
- Kilobit per Second (Kbps) — equal to 1,000 bits per second (decimal, not binary) — old dial-up modems topped out around 56 Kbps.
- Megabit per Second (Mbps) — equal to 1,000 kilobits per second — the unit internet providers almost always advertise broadband speeds in.
- Gigabit per Second (Gbps) — equal to 1,000 megabits per second — the range modern fiber connections and wired Ethernet (1 GbE, 10 GbE) operate in.
- Megabyte per Second (MB/s) — equal to 8 megabits per second — what a file-download progress bar usually reports, since file sizes are measured in bytes while connection speeds are usually advertised in bits.
- Gigabyte per Second (GB/s) — equal to 8 gigabits per second — the speed range of fast local transfers like external SSDs over USB or Thunderbolt, rarely seen over an internet connection.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my download speed look 8x slower than my internet plan?
Internet providers advertise speed in megabits per second (Mbps), but download managers and browsers typically show progress in megabytes per second (MB/s) — and a byte is 8 bits. A "100 Mbps" plan tops out around 12.5 MB/s, not 100 MB/s, which is the single most common data-rate confusion.
Why does this use decimal (1,000-based) prefixes instead of the binary ones the Digital Storage converter uses?
1,000-based (decimal) SI prefixes are the near-universal convention for network and data transfer speeds — internet providers, router specs, and network hardware all advertise in decimal Kbps/Mbps/Gbps. The separate Digital Storage converter uses binary (1,024-based) prefixes instead because that matches how operating systems report file and drive sizes — the two units measure genuinely different things (a rate vs. a quantity) and follow different real-world conventions.
What data rate do I actually need for streaming or video calls?
Rough industry benchmarks: standard-definition video streams around 3-4 Mbps, HD around 5-8 Mbps, and 4K around 25 Mbps; video calls typically need 1.5-4 Mbps depending on quality. These are per-stream figures — multiple simultaneous streams on one connection add up.
Does this work offline?
Yes — every conversion is a simple multiplication done in your browser, so it keeps working without an internet connection once loaded.