In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data transfer rates from gigabits per second (Gbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s or PBps). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of Gbps and PB/s
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Gbps and PB/s. Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.
Both units use International System of Units (SI) prefixes to simplify measuring and comparing data transfer rates. This standardization aids in conversions and understanding data transfer.
The table below shows all the SI prefixes and the associated symbols, multipliers, and colloquials.
What is Gigabits per second (Gbps)?
A Gigabit per second (Gbps) is a unit of measurement for data transfer rates used when transferring data over the Internet via a 5G mobile network or a superhigh-speed fiber optic connection between Internet companies.
It is part of the International System of Units (SI)[1] and uses decimal multiples of bits (109).
It has symbols or abbreviations such as Gbps, Gb/s, Gbit/s, or Gigabit/s.
One gigabit per second equals one billion bits per second or 1,000,000,000 bps or 0.000000125 PB/s (1,000,000,000 ÷ 8,000,000,000,000,000).
What is Petabytes per second (PB/s)?
A Petabyte per second (PB/s) measures data transfer rates during transfers between internal drives or over a local computer network using high-speed SSDs (Solid State Drives) and terabit networks.
It has symbols or abbreviations such as PBps, PB/s, Pbyte/s, or Petabyte/s.
Since a byte equals eight bits (1B = 8b), a terabyte per second equals eight petabits per second (1 PB/s = 8 Pbps).
In the International System of Units (SI), data storage and transfer rate units uses the decimal multiples of bytes (1015), which means:
1 PB/s = 1015 B/s = 1,000,000,000,000,000 B/s1 PB/s = 8 Pbps = 8 × 1015 = 8,000,000,000,000,000 bps1 PB/s = (8 x 1015) ÷ 109 = 8,000,000 Gbps
Please refer to the FAQs section to find out when 1 PB/s = 8,388,608 Gbps.
Gbps to PB/s 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.
Fraction formula for converting from Gbps to PB/s: R(PB/s) = R(Gbps) ÷ 8,000,000
Decimal formula: R(PB/s) = R(Gbps) × 0.000000125
Scientific notion formula: R(PB/s) = R(Gbps) × (125 × 10-9)
Or remember the Gbps-to-PBps conversion factor: 1 Gbps = 0.000000125 PB/s
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from gigabits to petabytes per second (Gbps to PB/s).
Convert 250 Gbps to PB/s
Write down 250 Gbps and multiply it by the Gbps-to-PBps conversion factor: 0.000000125 to get the rate value R in PB/s:
So, 250 gigabits per second is equal to 0.00003125 petabytes per second.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 250 into the Gbps box, and you instantly get the rate in PBps or PB/s, in this case, 0.00003125 PBps.
Gbps to PB/s conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data rates from gigabits per second (Gbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s). It covers a range from 0.1 Gbps to 1,000 Gbps, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
| Gigabits per second | Petabytes per second |
|---|---|
| 0.1 Gbps | 0.0000000125 PB/s |
| 0.5 Gbps | 0.0000000625 PB/s |
| 1 Gbps | 0.000000125 PB/s |
| 2 Gbps | 0.00000025 PB/s |
| 4 Gbps | 0.0000005 PB/s |
| 5 Gbps | 0.000000625 PB/s |
| 10 Gbps | 0.00000125 PB/s |
| 20 Gbps | 0.0000025 PB/s |
| 30 Gbps | 0.00000375 PB/s |
| 40 Gbps | 0.000005 PB/s |
| 50 Gbps | 0.00000625 PB/s |
| 60 Gbps | 0.0000075 PB/s |
| 70 Gbps | 0.00000875 PB/s |
| 80 Gbps | 0.00001 PB/s |
| 90 Gbps | 0.00001125 PB/s |
| 100 Gbps | 0.0000125 PB/s |
| 200 Gbps | 0.000025 PB/s |
| 500 Gbps | 0.0000625 PB/s |
| 800 Gbps | 0.0001 PB/s |
| 1000 Gbps | 0.000125 PB/s |
FAQs
Is 1 Gbps or 1 PB/s faster?
A petabyte per second (PB/s) is eight million times faster than a gigabyte per second (Gbps). A bit per second (bps) is the smallest unit for measuring data transfer rates. Here are the relationships between the units.
1 Gbps = 1 × 109 bps = 1,000,000,000 bps1 PB/s = 8 × 1015 bits/s = 8,000,000,000,000,000 bps1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 ÷ 8,000,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000125 PB/s1 PB/s = 8,000,000,000,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000,000 = 8,000,000 Gbps
How to convert from Gbps to PB/s?
To convert a data transfer rate from gigabits per second (Gbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s), follow the simple steps below:
- Write down the rate value in
gigabits per second (Gbps). - Multiply it by the value of a
Gbps-to-PBpsconversion factor:0.000000125. - The result from multiplication is the value of the transfer rate in
petabytes per second (PB/s).
Is 1 terabyte per second (PB/s) equal to 1,024 terabytes or 1,000 terabytes per second?
1 PB/s can be defined as either 1,000 TB/s (SI convention) or 1,024 TB/s (binary convention), depending on which standard you choose to use.
In the binary system, where used by most computer operating systems (e.g. Windows, macOS, and Linux), units are powered by two instead of 10, which means:
1 PB/s = 210 Terabytes/s = 1,024 TB/s1 PB/s = 220 Gigabytes/s = 1,048,576 GB/s1 PB/s = 1,048,576 GB/s × 8 bits/s = 8,388,608 Gbps
To avoid this confusion, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)[2] introduced new prefixes for the binary system.
The table below lists all binary prefixes, their symbols, and multipliers for the byte unit.
So, instead of using Petabyte per second (PB/s), you can use Pebibyte per second (PiB/s or PiBps) to refer to the binary system specifically:
1 PiB/s = 210 Tebibytes/s = 1,024 TiB/s1 PiB/s = 220 Gibibytes/s = 1,048,576 GiB/s1 PiB/s = 1,048,576 GiB/s × 8 bits/s = 8,388,608 Gbps
You now know how to convert data transfer rate from gigabits per second (Gbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the rate units to save 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.
