Megabits to Megabytes Converter
Convert megabits to megabytes and megabytes to megabits for data and bandwidth.
Common Megabit to Megabyte Reference Table
| Megabits (Mb) | Megabytes (MB) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | 8 bits make up 1 byte |
| 25 | 3.125 | Common broadband speed (per second) |
| 40 | 5 | Equivalent to 5 MB |
| 100 | 12.5 | Fast home connection speed |
| 800 | 100 | Equivalent to 100 MB |
| 1000 | 125 | 1 gigabit equals 125 MB |
Megabit and Megabyte Conversion Formulas
Converting between megabits and megabytes relies on a single fact: one byte contains exactly 8 bits. Because a megabyte is 8 times larger than a megabit, each conversion is a simple multiplication or division by 8.
Megabits to Megabytes
MB = Mb ÷ 8
Example: 100 Mb ÷ 8 = 12.5 MB
Megabytes to Megabits
Mb = MB × 8
Example: 5 MB × 8 = 40 Mb
Bits vs Bytes: Why the Factor of 8 Matters
Internet speeds are almost always advertised in megabits per second (Mbps), while file sizes and download progress are usually shown in megabytes (MB). This is the source of a lot of confusion. Because there are 8 bits in every byte, a 100 Mbps connection downloads at a maximum of about 12.5 MB per second, not 100 MB.
100 Mb ÷ 8 = 12.5 MB
Knowing this factor of 8 makes it easy to estimate real download times from an advertised connection speed.
Key Reference Values
- The byte: 8 Mb = 1 MB. One byte is made up of exactly eight bits.
- Common speed: 100 Mb = 12.5 MB. A 100 Mbps link moves about 12.5 MB each second.
- Reverse example: 5 MB = 40 Mb. Multiply megabytes by 8 to get megabits.
- Gigabit: 1000 Mb = 125 MB. A 1 Gbps connection moves about 125 MB each second.