Technology
Download time from size and speed
The core relation. Size must be in megabits and speed in megabits per second for the result to come out in seconds.
The Formula
t = size / speed
The core relation. Size must be in megabits and speed in megabits per second for the result to come out in seconds.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| size | File size | megabits | In megabits; multiply gigabytes by 8000. |
| speed | Connection speed | megabits per second | The advertised rate, before any efficiency allowance. |
| t | Transfer time | seconds | Divide by sixty for minutes. |
What Each Symbol Means
sizemegabits
File size
In megabits; multiply gigabytes by 8000.
speedmegabits per second
Connection speed
The advertised rate, before any efficiency allowance.
tseconds
Transfer time
Divide by sixty for minutes.
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.