About bytes and bits
A byte is 8 bits. It can hold 256 different values, which is enough to store one letter or digit of basic text.
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.
How the conversion works
Converts bytes to bits, and back again. Type a value in either box and the other one updates as you type. The conversion uses 1 byte = 8 bits.
Byte to Bit conversion table
| bytes | bits |
|---|---|
| 1 byte | 8 bits |
| 2 bytes | 16 bits |
| 5 bytes | 40 bits |
| 10 bytes | 80 bits |
| 25 bytes | 200 bits |
| 50 bytes | 400 bits |
| 100 bytes | 800 bits |
| 1,000 bytes | 8,000 bits |
How to use it
- Enter a value in bytes to see it in bits, 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 bytes by 8.
Did you know?
- The word byte was coined in 1956 and deliberately spelled with a y so it would not be mistaken for bit.
- Internet speeds are usually quoted in bits per second, while file sizes are quoted in bytes.