Fast reference
TL;DR
To convert Mbps to MB/s, divide by 8. To convert Gbps to Mbps, multiply by 1000. Be careful with binary units such as KiB/s because they use powers of 1024.
Use for
Data Transfer Rates
Best next step
Check the table, then calculate
Reviewed
2026-07-04
Guide
Overview
A clear guide to converting Mbps, MB/s, Gbps and KiB/s without mixing bits, bytes, decimal prefixes and binary prefixes.
Use decimal prefixes for common internet speed labels unless the unit explicitly uses binary notation such as KiB or MiB.
- Use the chart for fast checks.
- Use the linked calculator for custom values.
- Keep the unit definition clear before rounding.
- Record the source when values enter technical work.
Reference table
Data transfer conversion chart
Use decimal prefixes for common internet speed labels unless the unit explicitly uses binary notation such as KiB or MiB.
| Input | Equivalent | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Mbps | 1 MB/s | divide bits by 8 |
| 100 Mbps | 12.5 MB/s | 100 / 8 |
| 1 Gbps | 1000 Mbps | decimal network prefix |
| 1 MB/s | 8 Mbps | multiply bytes by 8 |
| 1 KiB/s | 1024 B/s | binary prefix |
Workflow
How to use this reference
Use the unit spelling as the clue. Lowercase b means bit; uppercase B means byte.
Step 1
Convert bits to bytes by dividing by 8.
Step 2
Convert bytes to bits by multiplying by 8.
Step 3
Treat Mbps and Gbps as decimal network units.
Step 4
Treat KiB, MiB and GiB as binary units.
Quality check
Common mistakes to avoid
Small capitalization errors can create an eight-times mistake.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Mbps faster than MB/s?
They measure related rates. 8 Mbps equals 1 MB/s before overhead.
Why do downloads look slower than internet speed?
Internet plans are usually sold in bits per second, while browsers often show bytes per second.
What does KiB/s mean?
KiB/s means kibibytes per second, using 1024 bytes per KiB.
Reference trail
Sources
Reference sources checked on 2026-07-04.