Bit to MB Converter

In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data from bits (b) to megabytes (MB). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.

Definitions of bit, byte, and megabyte

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between bit, byte, and megabyte. Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.

What is bit?

A bit (b) is the smallest unit to measure data storage^[1]. It can only represent two possible values: 0 or 1. It has symbols or abbreviations as b.

It is essentially a tiny switch that can be either off [0] or on [1]. It can represent a basic meaning such as true/false, yes/no, or on/off.

One bit equals 0.125 bytes (1b = 0.125 B).

What is byte (B)?

A Byte (B) is a standard unit of digital information used for data storage. It consists of 8 bits, which gives it a total of 256 possible values (from 0 to 255).

1 Byte equals 8 bits — 1 Byte = 8 bits = 256 possible values

It can represent a single character in the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) encoding system.

So, storing a text file that contains 800 characters would take up data storage of approximately 800 bytes.

What is Megabyte (MB)?

A megabyte (MB) is a unit of measurement for data storage used to measure files or memory that are large in size, typically between one million and one billion bytes.

It has symbols or abbreviations such as MB, Mbyte, MiB, or Mibyte.

When using International System of Units (SI) prefixes^[2], which are based on powers of 10, a megabyte (MB) equals 1,000,000 bytes.

1 MB = 10⁶ = 1,000,000 B

The table below shows all the SI prefixes and the associated symbols, multipliers, and colloquial.

When using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) binary prefixes^[3], which are based on powers of 2, a megabyte (MB) equals 1,048,576 bytes.

1 MB = 2²⁰ = 1,048,576 B

The IEC defined a set of binary prefixes to avoid confusion with the decimal-based SI prefixes. The table below shows all the binary prefixes, associated symbols, and its multipliers.

Here is a comparison between the binary and SI prefixes for data storage:

1 MB = 10⁶ = 1,000,000 B
1 MiB = 2²⁰ = 1,048,576 B

For general communication, you can use SI prefixes as they are familiar with the metric system, while for more accurate contexts, you should use IEC binary prefixes.

Bit to megabyte formula

Let’s take a closer look at the conversion formula so you can carry out these conversions independently, whether you're using a calculator or doing it manually with pencil and paper.

Using decimal (SI) prefixes

The mega- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 1,000,000 (10⁶), while a byte equals 8 bits.

To convert bit (b) to megabyte (MB), divide the number of bits (N_b) by 8,000,000, since 1 megabyte equals 1,000,000 bytes or 8,000,000 bits.

N_MB = N_b ÷ 8,000,000

\text{N}_\text{MB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{b}}{8{,}000{,}000}

Where:

N_b represents the number of bits.
N_MB represents the number megabytes.

Using binary (IEC) prefixes

The kibi- prefix in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multiplier of 1,024 (2¹⁰).

To convert from bits to kibibytes (megabytes in binary system), divide the number of bits (N_b) by 8,388,608, since 1 mebibyte equals 1,048,576 bytes or (1,048,576 × 8) bits.

N_MiB = N_b ÷ 8,388,608

\text{N}_\text{MiB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{b}}{8{,}388,608}

Where:

N_b represents the number of bits.
N_MiB represents the number megabytes in binary system.

Examples

Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from bits to megabytes (b to MB)?

Example

Sophia has a music file stored on her computer that is exactly 34,400,000 bits. What is the size of the photo file in megabytes (MB)?

Solution 1: Decimal System

To calculate the actual file size in megabytes from bits using the decimal system, take 34,400,000 bits and divide it by 8,000,000 to find the file size in megabytes (MB).

$$\text{N}_\text{MB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{b}}{8{,}000{,}000}$$

$$\text{N}_\text{MB} = \frac{34{,}400{,}000}{8{,}000{,}000} = \boxed{4.3 \text{ MB}}$$

Therefore, the photo file size of 34,400,000 bits equals 4.3 MB.

Solution 2: Binary System

To calculate the actual file size in megabytes from bits using the binary system, take 34,400,000 bits and divide it by 8,388,608 to find the file size in mebibytes (MiB).

$$\text{N}_\text{KiB} = \frac{\text{N}_\text{b}}{8{,}388{,}608}$$

$$\text{N}_\text{KiB} = \frac{34{,}400{,}000}{8{,}388{,}608} ≈ 4.10079 ≈ \boxed{4.1 \text{ MiB}}$$

Therefore, the photo file size of 34,400,000 bits is approximately 4.1 MiB.

Bit to megabyte conversion table

The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data storage capacity from bits (b) to megabytes (MB) in decimal and binary system. It covers a range from 0.1 b to 1,000 b, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.

Bits	Megabytes (MB)	Mebibytes (MiB)
0.1 bits	0.0000000125 MB	0.0000000119209289550781 MiB
0.5 bits	0.0000000625 MB	0.0000000596046447753906 MiB
1 bits	0.000000125 MB	0.000000119209289550781 MiB
2 bits	0.00000025 MB	0.000000238418579101563 MiB
3 bits	0.000000375 MB	0.000000357627868652344 MiB
4 bits	0.0000005 MB	0.000000476837158203125 MiB
5 bits	0.000000625 MB	0.000000596046447753906 MiB
6 bits	0.00000075 MB	0.000000715255737304688 MiB
7 bits	0.000000875 MB	0.000000834465026855469 MiB
8 bits	0.000001 MB	0.00000095367431640625 MiB
9 bits	0.000001125 MB	0.00000107288360595703 MiB
10 bits	0.00000125 MB	0.00000119209289550781 MiB
20 bits	0.0000025 MB	0.00000238418579101563 MiB
30 bits	0.00000375 MB	0.00000357627868652344 MiB
40 bits	0.000005 MB	0.00000476837158203125 MiB
50 bits	0.00000625 MB	0.00000596046447753906 MiB
60 bits	0.0000075 MB	0.00000715255737304688 MiB
70 bits	0.00000875 MB	0.00000834465026855469 MiB
80 bits	0.00001 MB	0.0000095367431640625 MiB
90 bits	0.00001125 MB	0.0000107288360595703 MiB
100 bits	0.0000125 MB	0.0000119209289550781 MiB
200 bits	0.000025 MB	0.0000238418579101563 MiB
300 bits	0.0000375 MB	0.0000357627868652344 MiB
400 bits	0.00005 MB	0.0000476837158203125 MiB
500 bits	0.0000625 MB	0.0000596046447753906 MiB
600 bits	0.000075 MB	0.0000715255737304688 MiB
700 bits	0.0000875 MB	0.0000834465026855469 MiB
800 bits	0.0001 MB	0.000095367431640625 MiB
900 bits	0.0001125 MB	0.000107288360595703 MiB
1,000 bits	0.000125 MB	0.000119209289550781 MiB

Bits to megabytes conversion table (decimal and binary system).

FAQs

How many MB is in a bit?

There is one eight-millionth (1/8,000,000) of a megabyte, or 0.000000125 MB, in a bit when using the decimal system, where 1 megabyte (MB) equals 1,000,000 bytes.

In contrast, using the binary system, where 1 mebibyte (MiB) equals 1,048,576 bytes, one bit equals 1/8,388,608 of a mebibyte, or approximately 0.0000001192 MiB.

Here are the relationships between the data measurement units.

Decimal System

1 MB = 8×10⁶ = 8,000,000 b
1 b = 1/8,000,000 MB
1 b = 0.000000125 MB

Binary Sytem

1 MiB = 8×2²⁰ = 8,338,608 b
1 b = 1/8,338,608 MiB
1 b ≈ 0.0000001192 MiB

How to convert from bits to MB?

To convert a data storage from bits (b) to megabytes (MB), follow the simple steps below:

Step 1: Write down the data storage value in bits (b).

Decimal System

Step 2: Divide it by eight million (8,000,000 or 8×10⁶).
Step 3: The result is the value of the data storage in megabytes (MB).

Binary Sytem

Step 2: Divide it by 8,338,608 (8×2²⁰).
Step 3: The result is the value of the data storage in mebibytes (MiB).

You now know how to convert data storage capacity from bits (b) to megabytes (MB) using both decimal and binary methods. You can quickly use our calculator to convert between data storage units, saving time for future calculations.

For further understanding, check our data storage converter page to learn more about the differences between decimal and binary units of data storage.