Understanding Internet Speed Units: Mbps vs. MBps

When checking your internet speed or downloading files, you may notice two similar but different units: Mbps and MBps. Understanding the difference between them is important to interpret speed test results correctly.

What Does Mbps Mean?

Mbps stands for megabits per second. It measures the rate at which data is transmitted over a network. Internet service providers (ISPs) and speed tests usually use Mbps to describe connection speeds.

  • 1 Mbps = 1 million bits per second

  • Used for measuring internet bandwidth and network speeds

What Does MBps Mean?

MBps stands for megabytes per second. It measures how much data is actually transferred or downloaded per second.

  • 1 MBps = 8 Mbps (because 1 byte = 8 bits)

  • Used to describe file download/upload speeds on your device

Why the Difference Matters

When your speed test shows 100 Mbps, it means your connection can transfer 100 million bits per second. But when downloading a file, you might see speeds around 12.5 MBps because files are measured in bytes, not bits.

Quick Conversion

To convert Mbps to MBps, divide by 8:
100 Mbps ÷ 8 = 12.5 MBps

To convert MBps to Mbps, multiply by 8:
10 MBps × 8 = 80 Mbps

Practical Example

If your internet plan offers 80 Mbps download speed, you can expect download speeds close to 10 MBps when saving files to your computer.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the difference between Mbps and MBps helps avoid confusion when interpreting speed tests and download rates. Remember:

  • Mbps = megabits per second (network speed)

  • MBps = megabytes per second (file transfer speed)

Use a reliable tool like SpeedFlux to check your internet speed in Mbps, then convert to MBps if needed for file downloads.