Download Time Calculator

Estimate how long a download or upload takes from the file size and your connection speed. Example: a 5 GB file at 100 Mbps with 90% real-world efficiency takes about 7 minutes 24 seconds.

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File size

Size unit

Connection speed

Speed unit

Real-world efficiency

How to use the Download Time Calculator

Enter the file size and pick its unit.
Enter your connection speed and pick its unit.
Adjust efficiency if you want a more cautious estimate.
Press Calculate.

Formula and method

Time = file size in bits / connection speed in bits per second. File size in bits = bytes x 8. Divide the speed by your efficiency percentage for a realistic estimate.

Worked example: 5 GB at 100 Mbps

Step	Result
Bits (5 GB x 8)	40,000,000,000
Speed at 90% (90 Mbps)	90,000,000 bits per second
Time	444 seconds
In minutes	7 min 24 s

Download time for a 1 GB file

Speed	Time (100% efficiency)
10 Mbps	13 min 20 s
25 Mbps	5 min 20 s
100 Mbps	1 min 20 s
500 Mbps	16 s
1000 Mbps	8 s

Bits versus bytes

Internet speeds are sold in megabits per second. Divide by 8 to get megabytes per second, the unit used for file sizes. A 100 Mbps line peaks at 12.5 MB/s.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to download a file?

Convert the size to bits and divide by the speed in bits per second.

What is the difference between Mbps and MB/s?

1 MB/s equals 8 Mbps.

Why is my download slower than my plan?

Wi-Fi, server limits, congestion and overhead.

How long does a 50 GB game take at 100 Mbps?

About 1 hour 14 minutes at 90% efficiency.

Is upload speed the same?

Use your upload speed instead, which is often lower.

What speed is good?

25 Mbps handles HD streaming; 100 Mbps or more suits households.

Sources

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Effortless Math Team

25 minutes ago