About bits and bytes
A bit is the smallest unit of digital data. It holds a single value, either 0 or 1. The word is short for binary digit.
A byte is 8 bits. It can hold 256 different values, which is enough to store one letter or digit of basic text.
How the conversion works
Converts bits to bytes, and back again. Type a value in either box and the other one updates as you type. The conversion uses 1 bit = 0.125 bytes.
Bit to Byte conversion table
| bits | bytes |
|---|---|
| 1 bit | 0.125 bytes |
| 2 bits | 0.25 bytes |
| 5 bits | 0.625 bytes |
| 10 bits | 1.25 bytes |
| 25 bits | 3.125 bytes |
| 50 bits | 6.25 bytes |
| 100 bits | 12.5 bytes |
| 1,000 bits | 125 bytes |
How to use it
- Enter a value in bits to see it in bytes, or type in the other box to convert the opposite way.
- Check the quick conversion table below for common values.
- To convert by hand, multiply the number of bits by 0.125.
Did you know?
- Internet speeds are usually quoted in bits per second, while file sizes are quoted in bytes.
- The word byte was coined in 1956 and deliberately spelled with a y so it would not be mistaken for bit.