Bytes to Bits Converter
Convert bytes to bits — multiply by eight. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One byte is 8 bits — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the bytes to bits converter works
Storage converts through the byte (8 bits). Drive makers and network speeds use decimal prefixes (1 GB = 10⁹ bytes); operating systems often report binary units (1 GiB = 2³⁰ = 1,073,741,824 bytes) — sometimes labelled "GB". The gap is 7.4% at the gigabyte and 10% at the terabyte.
The US uses customary units (US gallon, short ton, °F) in daily life; NIST SP 811 gives the exact SI factors.
Common data conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1 B | 8 bit | byte to bits |
| 8 B | 64 bit | bytes to bits |
| 64 B | 512 bit | bytes to bits |
| 128 B | 1,024 bit | bytes to bits |
| 512 B | 4,096 bit | bytes to bits |
| 1,000 B | 8,000 bit | bytes to bits |
| 1,024 B | 8,192 bit | bytes to bits |
| 10,000 B | 80,000 bit | bytes to bits |
| 100,000 B | 800,000 bit | bytes to bits |
| 1,000,000 B | 8,000,000 bit | bytes to bits |
| 10,000,000 B | 80,000,000 bit | bytes to bits |
| 100,000,000 B | 800,000,000 bit | bytes to bits |
Units in this converter and their exact factors
| Unit | Symbol | One unit in bytes |
|---|---|---|
| bit | bit | 0.125 byte |
| byte | B | 1 byte |
| kilobyte (10³) | kB | 1,000 byte |
| megabyte (10⁶) | MB | 1,000,000 byte |
| gigabyte (10⁹) | GB | 1,000,000,000 byte |
| terabyte (10¹²) | TB | 1,000,000,000,000 byte |
| kibibyte (2¹⁰) | KiB | 1,024 byte |
| mebibyte (2²⁰) | MiB | 1,048,576 byte |
| gibibyte (2³⁰) | GiB | 1,073,741,824 byte |
| tebibyte (2⁴⁰) | TiB | 1,099,511,627,776 byte |
FAQFrequently asked questions about data conversion
How many bits in a byte?
Eight.
How do I convert a download size to a connection speed?
Multiply the megabytes by eight to get megabits, then divide by the line speed in Mbps for the seconds.
What is 1 MB in bits?
8,000,000 bits on the decimal definition.
Why is networking measured in bits?
Because it is a serial stream — bits go down the wire one at a time, so the bit is the natural unit.
What is a nibble?
Four bits — half a byte, and exactly one hex digit.
Where these figures come from
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — definitions of the base and derived units.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact conversion factors used here.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — United States's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.