Bits to Bytes Converter
Use this converter to easily convert between Bits and Bytes.
- How many Bits equal one Byte?
- Difference between Bits and Bytes
- How to convert Bits to Bytes
- Bits to Bytes conversion table
How many Bits equal one Byte?
Under the International System of Units the Byte is defined as equal to 8 bits, so exactly 8 Bits equal 1 Byte. The term "byte" was first used to describe an 8-bit block in a 1956 paper by Werner Buchholz [3] and went into widespread usage ever since, serving as the basis for other units such as the KiloByte, MegaByte, GigaByte and so on. There were attempts to use 10-bit "bytes", but they did not receive adoption.
Difference between Bits and Bytes
Both the bit and the byte are data units used for measuring data storage capacity and transmission capacity (bandwidth). The only difference between the two is that a byte is 8 times larger than a bit.
A bit is the smallest possible amount of data in a binary computing system - practically all computers, laptops, phones, smartphones, robots, cars, etc. we have today. Its value can be either one or zero, corresponding to a wire with electrical current running through it or not. This, of course, has been greatly reduced in size as modern CPU, RAM, and disks can address billions of bits, e.g. a 1 GB memory stick contains 8,589,934,592 bits.
Both the bit and the byte are used mainly by computer programmers, database architects and the like, where they are relevant. The average user usually deals with data in much greater quantities, where units such as the megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB) and terabyte (TB) are much more convenient to use.
How to convert Bits to Bytes
To convert from bits to bytes, simply divide the number of bits by 8. For example, 256 bits are equal to 256 / 8 = 32 bytes. You can see more example calculations and a conversion table below.
Bits to bytes conversion example
Sample task: convert 32 bits to bytes. Solution:
Formula:
bits / 8 = Bytes
Calculation:
32 bits / 8 = 4 Bytes
End result:
32 bits is equal to 4 Bytes
Bits to Bytes conversion table
| bits | Bytes |
|---|---|
| 1 bits | 0.125000 Bytes |
| 2 bits | 0.25 Bytes |
| 4 bits | 0.50 Bytes |
| 8 bits | 1 Bytes |
| 16 bits | 2 Bytes |
| 32 bits | 4 Bytes |
| 64 bits | 8 Bytes |
| 128 bits | 16 Bytes |
| 256 bits | 32 Bytes |
| 512 bits | 64 Bytes |
| 1,024 bits | 128 Bytes |
| 2,048 bits | 256 Bytes |
| 4,096 bits | 512 Bytes |
| 8,192 bits | 1,024 Bytes |
| 16,384 bits | 2,048 Bytes |
| 32,768 bits | 4,096 Bytes |
| 65,536 bits | 8,192 Bytes |
| 131,072 bits | 16,384 Bytes |
| 262,144 bits | 32,768 Bytes |
References
[1] IEC 60027-2, Second edition, 2000-11, Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology - Part 2: Telecommunications and electronics.
[2] IEC 80000-13:2008, Quantities and units, Part 13: Information science and technology
[3] Buchholz W. (1977) "The Word 'Byte' Comes of Age..." Byte Magazine, 2:144.
Cite this converter & page
If you'd like to cite this online converter resource and information as provided on the page, you can use the following citation:
Georgiev G.Z., "Bits to Bytes Converter", [online] Available at: https://www.gigacalculator.com/converters/convert-bits-to-bytes.php URL [Accessed Date: 01 Apr, 2023].