Technology
Bits and bytes
Converts the advertised network speed into the unit a file manager displays. One byte is eight bits, so the megabyte figure is always the smaller number.
The Formula
megabytes per second = megabits per second / 8
Converts the advertised network speed into the unit a file manager displays. One byte is eight bits, so the megabyte figure is always the smaller number.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mbps | Speed in megabits per second | megabits per second | The number an internet plan advertises. |
| MBps | Speed in megabytes per second | megabytes per second | The number a download manager shows. |
What Each Symbol Means
Mbpsmegabits per second
Speed in megabits per second
The number an internet plan advertises.
MBpsmegabytes per second
Speed in megabytes per second
The number a download manager shows.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate download time page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Download Time, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.