How to convert bytes to bits
To convert a measurement in bytes to bits, multiply the value by 8. The conversion factor comes from the relationship between both units and the byte.
For example, to convert 5 B to bits: 5 × 8 = 40 bit.
What is a byte?
A byte is a unit of digital information consisting of 8 bits. It is the standard addressable unit of memory and can represent a single text character. The byte was defined by Werner Buchholz in 1956 during the design of the IBM Stretch computer. Eight bits became the de facto standard, enough to encode a character in early text encodings like ASCII.
Common uses of bytes include: File sizes and memory addressing; Text character storage (1 byte per ASCII character); Low-level programming and data structures; Baseline unit for all larger storage measures.
What is a bit?
A bit is the smallest unit of digital information, representing a single binary value of 0 or 1. Eight bits make one byte. The term 'bit', a contraction of 'binary digit', was coined by statistician John Tukey and popularized by Claude Shannon in his 1948 paper founding information theory. It is the fundamental unit on which all digital data is built.
Common uses of bits include: Network and internet speeds (Mbps, Gbps); Data transfer and bandwidth measurement; Encryption key lengths (128-bit, 256-bit); Color depth and audio bit rates.
When you need to convert bytes to bits
Storage is measured in bytes, but network speeds are measured in bits, so this conversion answers the classic question of how long a download takes. Multiplying bytes by 8 gives bits; a 10-megabyte file is 80 megabits, which is why a '80 Mbps' connection needs about a second to move it.
Bytes to bits worked examples
Here are some common values converted:
1 B = 8 bit 5 B = 40 bit 10 B = 80 bit 50 B = 400 bit 100 B = 800 bit
Frequently asked questions
How many bits are in one byte?
One byte (B) equals 8 bits (bit). Multiply any value in bytes by 8 to convert to bits.
How do I convert bytes to bits?
Multiply the value in bytes by 8. For example, 5 B × 8 = 40 bit.
How do I convert bits to bytes?
Multiply the value in bits by 0.125, or divide by 8. Use the swap button on the converter above to reverse the direction.
Is the byte to bit conversion exact?
Decimal units (KB, MB, GB) use powers of 1000 per SI; binary units (KiB, MiB, GiB) use powers of 1024 per IEC. Both are exact — just be sure you are using the right family, since storage is often sold in decimal but reported by operating systems in binary.
What is the formula for bytes to bits?
The formula is: bit = B × 8. This comes from the definition of both units relative to the byte.