Download Time Calculator
How long will your download take?
Common Downloads
Mbps vs MB/s: The Confusion That Costs You
Internet providers advertise speeds in megabits per second (Mbps). Download progress shows megabytes per second (MB/s). There are 8 bits in a byte, so 100 Mbps internet downloads at approximately 12.5 MB/s — not 100 MB/s. This 8x difference is the most common source of "my internet is slow" complaints from people whose internet is actually performing exactly as advertised.
A 4.7 GB movie on 100 Mbps internet takes about 6.3 minutes in theory. In practice, add 10-30% for network overhead (protocol headers, error correction, routing), shared bandwidth if others are using your network, and server-side speed limits. Real-world downloads are typically 60-80% of the theoretical maximum speed.
What Speed Do You Actually Need?
Web browsing and email: 5-10 Mbps is plenty. HD video streaming: 5-10 Mbps per stream. 4K video: 25-35 Mbps per stream. Video calls: 5-10 Mbps up and down. Gaming: 10-25 Mbps (latency matters more than speed). Working from home: 25-50 Mbps handles everything. Large household with multiple 4K streams, gaming, and remote work: 200-500 Mbps.
Why is my download slower than my speed test?
Speed tests measure the connection between your device and a nearby server under ideal conditions. Real downloads travel across multiple networks, through congested routes, and from servers that may be rate-limited. Your ISP speed is the maximum capacity of your connection, not a guarantee for every download.