What does KBps and Kbps mean and how do they reflect transfer speeds? Satellite Forum FAQ

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What does KBps and Kbps mean and how do they reflect transfer speeds?

Kilobyte (KB or K) = 1024 bytes (2 ^ 10) "binary kilobyte"
kilobyte (kB) = 1000 bytes (10 ^ 3) "decimal kilobyte"

Kilobit (Kb) = 1024 bits (2 ^ 10) "binary kilobit"
kilobit (kb) = 1000 bits (10 ^ 3) "decimal kilobit"

KBps = Kilobytes (1024 bytes) per second (binary)
kBps = kilobytes (1000 bytes) per second (decimal)

Kbps = Kilobits (1024 bits) per second (binary)
kbps = kilobits (1000 bits) per second (decimal)

bps = bits per second

Most browsers and a lot of FTP programs show transfer rates in KBps (kilobytes per second). So in order to get the approximate number of Kbps (kilobits per second) you need to know that there are 8 Kb (kilobits) in every KB (kilobyte). Thus if your browser is showing that you are downloading a file at 176 KBps you would then multiply 176 times 8 which would translate to 1,408 Kbps. The reverse can be used if your transfer rate is in Kbps then you divide that number by 8 to get your rate in KBps. Example:1400 Kbps divided by 8 equals 176 KBps transfer rate.

If you wanted to know how many bps (bits per second) you are transferring, all you need to do is a straight decimal conversion. Example: 1,408 Kbps would translate to 1,408,000 bps.

got feedback?

I guess it should be 1,408 Kbps = 1441792 bps, because K = 1,024, so 1,408 Kbps = 1,408 x 1,024 = 1,441,792 bps.

2007-09-20 14:35:45

Tank you

2008-04-13 12:31:57

You need to correct this. 1,408 Kbps = 1,408 * 1024 bps or 1,441,792. It's sites like yours that are attempting to explain the 'proper' way and doing it incorrectly, that are stuffing people up in the first place. It's simple - Binary = base-2. Decimal = base-10.

2008-04-25 19:02:54

How to know the difference between the decimal and binary bytes or bits.

2008-05-12 08:44:38

Is a mb line better than a kbps line?? PLEASE help me???:)

2011-07-20 06:23:05

Very good information. Many people are not aware of this. Thanks

2009-04-10 09:19:33

If 1408 Kbps in the example is binary, then shouldn't you multiply it by 1024 instead of 1000 to get the bits per second? 1,408 Kbps = 1,441,792 bps 1,408 kbps = 1,408,000 bps That's about 4 KBps difference. I'm no math whiz though, I was confused and thought you might like the feedback.

2010-03-14 00:52:38

Excellent explanation. Thank you.

2009-12-30 11:37:33

good description

2010-04-20 13:04:20

nice explanation

2010-11-09 02:18:56

2011-01-31 02:01:56

IF MY LINE IS 512 Kbps than what will be the download speed in kB/s ?

2011-04-27 11:56:39

@ who posted at 2011-01-31 02:01:56: good to point the difference. 1 Kilobyte = 1000 bytes, as 1 "Kilo"meter = 1000 meters. The binary kilobyte you are calling is known as Kibibyte (from it's base, binary - 2). To properly express it use KiB. 1 KiB = 1024 bytes. The same goes for Bits. This is the "proper" way to express these units. Unfortunately, this system is not widely used by "common" users, in spite of being the standard one stablished by IEEE in '98. Wikipedia actually is not bad explaining this. Check it.

2011-08-18 21:46:45

Very good information and knowledge

2011-11-16 11:00:50

To answer the question how does 512 Kbps equate to kB/s, I would calculate it as follows: - 512 Kbps = 64 KBps (divided by 8) - 64 KBps = 65,536 bytes (multiplied by 1024) - 65,536 Bps = 65.536 kBps (divide by 1000) Math look right to everyone?

2012-07-24 16:05:20

by watchman57 edited by PetDude

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What does KBps and Kbps mean and how do they reflect transfer speeds?