Using the Bandwidth Calculator
File size uses decimal megabytes, while connection speed uses megabits per second. The calculator multiplies size by eight to convert bytes to bits, then divides by speed adjusted by the throughput percentage. A lower effective percentage increases the estimated time.
Worked example
Use the example inputs below to reproduce this result. These are the form's starting values, not recommended targets. Changing your inputs updates your result above; this worked example stays fixed for comparison. Results are rounded for display.
Example inputs
- File size (decimal MB)
- 1000
- Connection speed (Mbps)
- 100
- Effective throughput (%)
- 90
Example result
- Transfer time (seconds)
- 88.888889
- Transfer time (minutes)
- 1.4814815
Method and assumptions
Decimal MB × 8 / effective Mbps. Throughput percentage accounts for protocol overhead and other traffic.
Keep the network quantity clear
Networking uses several quantities that look similar in everyday language. Address counts, data sizes and transfer rates answer different questions. Pay attention to prefixes, units and the exact model described by the form. The calculator checks the stated arithmetic; it does not inspect a live network or detect configuration and performance limits automatically.
Common question
Why is a 100 Mbps connection not 100 MB per second?
A byte contains eight bits. Before overhead, 100 megabits per second corresponds to 12.5 decimal megabytes per second. Real transfers can be slower, which is why the calculator includes an effective-throughput input.
Guide updated .