Explains the distinction between decimal prefixes such as MB and binary prefixes such as MiB.
Unit conversion
Kilobytes per second to Kilobits per second Converter
1 kB/s = 8 kb/s. Enter a value to convert kB/s to kb/s, then use the formula and table below. Displayed digits may be rounded.
Data-transfer speedInstant result
Decimals
Formula result = input × 8000 ÷ 1000. 1 kB/s = 8 kb/s
Nonzero results too small for the selected decimal places use scientific notation.
Nonzero results too small for the selected decimal places use scientific notation.
Common examples
One value, several units
Bits per second8,000 bit/s
Kilobits per second8 kb/s
Megabits per second0.008 Mb/s
Gigabits per second8.00000e-6 Gb/s
Megabytes per second0.001 MB/s
Conversion table
| kB/s | kb/s |
|---|---|
| 1 kB/s | 8 kb/s |
| 2 kB/s | 16 kb/s |
| 5 kB/s | 40 kb/s |
| 10 kB/s | 80 kb/s |
| 25 kB/s | 200 kb/s |
| 50 kB/s | 400 kb/s |
| 100 kB/s | 800 kb/s |
Conversion chart
1 kB/s8 kb/s
5 kB/s40 kb/s
10 kB/s80 kb/s
25 kB/s200 kb/s
50 kB/s400 kb/s
Worked example
1 kB/s = 8 kb/s. Apply the selected conversion formula to other input values.
Unit definition
Kilobytes per second (kB/s) One kilobytes per second equals 8,000 bit per second.
Unit history
Kilobytes per second is represented here using its modern SI definition or an internationally accepted relationship to an SI base unit.
Step by step
1. Parse the value, including fractions.
2. Convert kB/s to bit per second.
3. Convert the base value to kb/s and apply your display precision.
Understand the result before using it
Kilobytes per second to Kilobits per second converts a value measured in Kilobytes per second (kB/s) into the equivalent value in Kilobits per second (kb/s). The numerical value changes because the size and definition of the selected unit changes; the underlying quantity does not.
Calculated result
The conversion follows the displayed unit relationship. Display rounding can hide additional digits, and measured inputs cannot become more accurate merely by changing units.
Formula, assumptions, and example
Formula
result = input × 8000 ÷ 1000
Assumptions
- Kilobytes per second and Kilobits per second represent the same data-transfer speed quantity.
- The input is expressed in kB/s; the output is expressed in kb/s.
- The unit definitions and conventional relationship shown on this page apply.
Worked example
1 kB/s = 8 kb/s. For another value, apply the same relationship and round only to the precision your source measurement supports.
When to use it
Good uses
- Read a kB/s measurement in a document that expects kb/s.
- Compare a kilobytes per second value with a value reported in kilobits per second.
- Check the kB/s to kb/s arithmetic before copying the result into another calculation.
Limitations
Common mistakes to avoid
- A byte contains eight bits; advertised network speed does not guarantee the same application download rate.
- Round the output to a precision justified by the original measurement.
- Verify safety-critical, regulated, laboratory, and contractual conversions against the controlling standard.
Sources and further reading
These references explain the underlying standards or provide authoritative context. Your own contract, institution, clinician, product documentation, local code, or governing standard may be the controlling source.
Guidance on unit names, symbols, conversions, and numerical presentation.
Questions about this calculation
How do I convert Kilobytes per second to Kilobits per second?
result = input × 8000 ÷ 1000. Input is in kB/s; result is in kb/s. 1 kB/s = 8 kb/s. The displayed digits may be rounded.
What is 1 kB/s in kb/s?
1 kB/s = 8 kb/s. The displayed digits may be rounded.
Can I reverse the kB/s to kb/s conversion?
Yes. Swap the source and target units in the converter. The reverse relationship converts kb/s back to kB/s.
Is the Kilobytes per second to Kilobits per second result exact?
The conversion follows the displayed unit relationship. Display rounding can hide additional digits, and measured inputs cannot become more accurate merely by changing units.