Bits to Bytes
Type a value in either box to convert between bits and bytes. The factor is 0.125.
| Bits | Bytes |
|---|---|
| 1 bit | 0.125 B |
| 2 bit | 0.25 B |
| 3 bit | 0.375 B |
| 5 bit | 0.625 B |
| 10 bit | 1.25 B |
| 25 bit | 3.125 B |
| 50 bit | 6.25 B |
| 100 bit | 12.5 B |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Bits field.
- The Bytes figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Bytes field converts back to Bits the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Bits to Bytes formula
To convert bits to bytes, multiply by 0.125.
B = bit × 0.125
Put another way, one bit is exactly 1/8 of a byte.
Why this factor: the bit and the byte are both defined against the byte, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.125 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.125 — or use the Bytes to Bits converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 4 bit. Multiply by 0.125 to get 0.5 B.
4 bit × 0.125 = 0.5 B
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a bit?
A bit is the smallest unit of digital information — a single binary digit, either 0 or 1.
Definition: One eighth of a byte. The name is a contraction of 'binary digit'.
Where it is used: Network and connection speeds, which are always quoted in bits per second.
Worth knowing: Lowercase 'b' is bits, uppercase 'B' is bytes. A 100 Mb/s connection delivers about 12.5 MB/s.
What is a byte?
A byte is eight bits — historically the space for one text character, and the standard unit of file size.
Definition: Exactly 8 bits.
Where it is used: File and storage sizes, memory capacity, and data quotas.
Bits vs Bytes
The bit and the byte belong to the same family of units, so converting between them is usually a matter of shifting a decimal point or applying a small whole-number factor.
Frequently asked questions
How many bytes are in a bit?
One bit equals 0.125 bytes.
What is the formula to convert bits to bytes?
Multiply the number of bits by 0.125. To reverse it, divide by 0.125 instead.
How do I convert bytes back to bits?
Divide by 0.125, which is the same as multiplying by 8.
How many bytes are in 10 bits?
10 bit works out to 1.25 B.
Is there anything to watch out for with bits?
Lowercase 'b' is bits, uppercase 'B' is bytes. A 100 Mb/s connection delivers about 12.5 MB/s.
How is the bit defined?
One eighth of a byte. The name is a contraction of 'binary digit'.