kbps to Mbps Converter

How to convert kilobits per second to megabits per second

1 kilobit per second = 0.001 megabits per second. To convert kilobits per second to megabits per second, divide by 1,000 (or multiply by 0.001). A kilobit per second (kbps) is 1,000 bits per second; network speeds always use these decimal prefixes, never 1,024. A megabit per second (Mbps) is 1,000,000 bits per second, or 1,000 kbps.

Worked examples

• 320 kilobits per second = 0.32 Mbps (320 ÷ 1,000)
• 2,500 kilobits per second = 2.5 Mbps (2,500 ÷ 1,000)
• 50,000 kilobits per second = 50 Mbps (50,000 ÷ 1,000)

Where this conversion comes up

Kilobits per second are used for audio bitrates, old modems and IoT links; megabits per second for internet plans, Wi-Fi speeds and video streaming. Bitrates for audio and video and the speeds that apps and routers report are often given in kbps, while internet plans are sold in Mbps. Network speeds always use decimal prefixes, so 1,000 kbps is exactly 1 Mbps (never 1,024). A 320 kbps MP3 uses 0.32 Mbps of a connection, and a 50,000 kbps reading in a speed test is a 50 Mbps line. Mbps (megabits) is not MB/s (megabytes): divide megabits by 8 for megabytes per second.

Quick estimate

Divide by 1,000, or move the decimal point three places left: 2,500 kbps = 2.5 Mbps.

Common mistakes

• Multiplying instead of dividing. A megabit per second is larger than a kilobit per second, so the number of megabits per second must come out smaller: 320 kilobits per second = 0.32 Mbps.