Download Time Calculator
File sizes come in bytes, internet plans in bits — this download calculator does the ×8 conversion correctly and turns size ÷ speed into a real waiting time.
Example: with File size 50 · Size unit GB (gigabytes) · Connection speed (Mbps) 100 → Download time: 1 hr 6 min 40 sec.
Computed by the calculator below using its default values. Change any input to see your own numbers.
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Check it outHow long will your download take?
The math is time = file size (MB) × 8 ÷ speed (Mbps). The ×8 matters because sizes are measured in bytes but connections in bits: a 100 Mbps plan moves at most 12.5 megabytes per second, not 100. A 50 GB game is 400,000 megabits, so at 100 Mbps it takes 4,000 seconds — about 1 hr 7 min. Typical real downloads: a 15 GB 4K movie ≈ 20 min at 100 Mbps, a 70 GB game ≈ 1 hr 33 min at 100 Mbps but only 18 min 40 sec at 500 Mbps, and gigabit fiber pulls that 50 GB game in 6 min 40 sec.
Treat every answer as a best case. Advertised Mbps is a ceiling: Wi-Fi loss, busy servers, protocol overhead, and other devices on the network usually keep sustained speeds 10–30% or more below plan speed. If a download is way slower than this estimate, run a speed test and check whether the server — not your line — is the bottleneck.
How it’s calculated
Download time (seconds) = size (MB) × 8 ÷ speed (Mbps), using 1 byte = 8 bits, 1 GB = 1,000 MB, and 1 TB = 1,000,000 MB (decimal SI units, the way file sizes and internet plans are marketed). MB/s = Mbps ÷ 8; data per hour = Mbps × 3,600 ÷ 8,000 GB. Results assume the connection sustains its full rated speed, so real downloads run somewhat longer.
Results update as you type and are estimates, not professional advice — verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
Common mistakes
- Dividing megabytes by megabits — a 100 Mbps plan moves 12.5 MB/s, not 100. Multiply file size in MB by 8 first.
- Expecting plan speed: Wi-Fi, congestion, and server caps usually keep sustained rates below the advertised Mbps.
- Mixing decimal and binary units — this tool uses 1 GB = 1,000 MB, while Windows reports binary GiB, about 7% larger.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 1 GB take to download?
1 GB is 8,000 megabits: about 80 seconds at 100 Mbps, 2 min 40 sec at 50 Mbps, and 5 min 20 sec at 25 Mbps — assuming the connection holds full speed.
How long does a 50 GB game take to download?
About 1 hr 7 min at 100 Mbps, 13 min 20 sec at 500 Mbps, or 6 min 40 sec on gigabit (1,000 Mbps). Launchers often throttle or decompress, so add some margin.
What is the difference between Mbps and MB/s?
Mbps is megabits per second; MB/s is megabytes per second. One byte is 8 bits, so divide by 8: 300 Mbps equals 37.5 MB/s.
Why are my downloads slower than my internet plan?
Plans quote a ceiling in bits per second. Wi-Fi signal loss, other devices, VPNs, protocol overhead, and the server's own upload limit all shave off speed, so sustained rates typically land below the advertised number.