Internet FAQ · Speed
What is Mbps?
Mbps stands for megabits per second. It measures how much data an internet connection can move each second, so a 300 Mbps plan can carry three times as much as a 100 Mbps plan.[1] Every home internet plan is sold in Mbps, or in Gbps for gigabit plans, where 1 Gbps equals 1,000 Mbps.[1]
Mbps is not MB/s. Internet plans count bits, while downloads on your computer usually show megabytes per second. A byte is eight bits, so a 300 Mbps plan moves at most 37.5 MB per second.[1] Multiply an MB/s reading by eight to compare it with your plan.[1]
What common Mbps figures mean in practice:
| Speed | What it covers | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 Mbps | One HD stream, one video call, or one online game, each on its own | FCC minimums per activity[2] |
| 25 Mbps | One 4K video stream | FCC minimum[2] |
| 100/20 Mbps | The FCC's benchmark for high-speed home broadband, download and upload | FCC, March 2024[3] |
| 1,000 Mbps | 1 Gbps, the usual "gig" plan | Decimal units used for internet plans[1] |
Two things lower the number you actually get. Every device on your network shares the plan's Mbps at the same time, and Wi-Fi, old equipment and distant servers all cut real speed below the advertised figure.[1] A wired test on a laptop plugged into the router shows what the line itself delivers.
To turn the number into a plan choice, answer a few questions in our internet speed calculator. It adds up your streams, calls and games and shows the tier your home fits. For the bigger unit, see how many Mbps is 1 gig.
More internet questions
Sources
- AT&T: Mbps vs Gbps, Understanding the differences. AT&T, Mbps vs Gbps, accessed October 28, 2026. Definition of Mbps, bits versus bytes, the 37.5 MB/s figure, 1 Gbps as 1,000 Mbps, and what lowers real speed. ↩
- FCC: Broadband Speed Guide. FCC, Broadband Speed Guide, accessed October 28, 2026. Minimum download speeds per activity, one at a time. ↩
- FCC: FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark (news release, March 14, 2024). FCC, FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark, news release of March 14, 2024, accessed October 28, 2026. The 100/20 Mbps benchmark. ↩
Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Editorial policy