Internet speeds are usually in megabits per second (Mbps) while file sizes are in megabytes (MB). There are 8 bits in a byte, so divide Mbps by 8 for MB per second.
Side by side
| Megabit (Mb) | Megabyte (MB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Equals | 1/8 of a megabyte | 8 megabits |
| Used for | Connection speeds | File sizes |
| 100 Mbps is about | – | 12.5 MB per second |
When to use which
A 1 GB file on a 100 Mbps line takes about 80 seconds in ideal conditions. Real speeds are usually lower.