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Units & Conversion · Mbps 与 MB/s(带宽与速度) · Updated 2026-10-25

What Is Mbps vs MB/s?

Definition

Mbps counts megabits per second; MB/s counts megabytes per second; 8 bits per byte — so a 500M line peaks at 62.5 MB/s. Real-world throughput subtracts TCP/IP overhead (5-10%), Wi-Fi losses (halved on 2.4 GHz) and server-side throttling. Carriers promise speed to the local metro network; slow overseas or cross-network routes do not mean a broken line.

Formula

MB/s = Mbps ÷ 8; usable ≈ theoretical × 0.9 (protocol overhead)

Worked Example

On a 500M line: 62.5 MB/s theoretical, ~58 MB/s wired in practice; a 5 GB game downloads in 5×1024÷58 ≈ 88 seconds.

Common Misconception

"500M broadband downloads at 500 MB/s" — off by 8×; 30 MB/s on a 300M line is normal, not underperformance. And "slow Wi-Fi speed test means the carrier" — 2.4 GHz caps near 150 Mbps and hates walls; test on 5 GHz or wired.

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