In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data transfer rates from kilobits per second (Kbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of Kbps and PB/s
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Kbps 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 colloquial.
What is Kilobits per second (Kbps)?
A kilobit per second (Kbps) is a unit of measurement for data transfer rates used when streaming or transferring data over the internet or network via a slow connection such as 2G mobile network, dial-up, or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).
It is part of the International System of Units (SI)[1] and uses decimal multiples of bits (103). It has symbols or abbreviations such as Kbps, Kb/s, Kbit/s, or Kilobit/s.
One kilobit per second equals one thousand bits per second or 1,000 bps or 0.000000000000125 PB/s (1,000 ÷ 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 petabit 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 petabyte 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 ÷ 103 = 8,000,000,000,000 Kbps
Please refer to the FAQs section to find out when 1 PB/s = 8 × 240 = 8,796,093,022,208 Kbps.
Kbps 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.
Multiplication formula for converting data transfer rate (R) from Kbps to PB/s:
R(PB/s) = R(Kbps) × 0.000000000000125
Or remember the Kbps-to-PBps conversion factor: 1 Kbps = 0.000000000000125 PB/s or 1.25 × 10-13 or 1/8 × 10-12 PB/s.
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from kilobits to petabytes per second (Kbps to PB/s).
Convert 6,000 Kbps to PB/s
Write down 6,000 Kbps and multiply it by the Kbps-to-PBps conversion factor: 0.000000000000125 or 1/8 × 10-12 to get the rate value R in PB/s:
So, 6,000 kilobits per second is equal to 0.00000000075 petabytes per second.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 6,000 into the Kbps box, and you instantly get the rate in PBps or PB/s, in this case, 0.00000000075 PBps or 7.5 × 10-10 PBps or 7.5e-10 TBps.
Kbps to PB/s conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data rates from kilobits per second (Kbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s). It covers a range from 0.1 Kbps to 1,000 Kbps, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
| Kilobits per second | Petabytes per second |
|---|---|
| 0.1 Kbps | 0.0000000000000125 PB/s |
| 0.5 Kbps | 0.0000000000000625 PB/s |
| 1 Kbps | 0.000000000000125 PB/s |
| 2 Kbps | 0.00000000000025 PB/s |
| 4 Kbps | 0.0000000000005 PB/s |
| 5 Kbps | 0.000000000000625 PB/s |
| 10 Kbps | 0.00000000000125 PB/s |
| 20 Kbps | 0.0000000000025 PB/s |
| 30 Kbps | 0.00000000000375 PB/s |
| 40 Kbps | 0.000000000005 PB/s |
| 50 Kbps | 0.00000000000625 PB/s |
| 60 Kbps | 0.0000000000075 PB/s |
| 70 Kbps | 0.00000000000875 PB/s |
| 80 Kbps | 0.00000000001 PB/s |
| 90 Kbps | 0.00000000001125 PB/s |
| 100 Kbps | 0.0000000000125 PB/s |
| 200 Kbps | 0.000000000025 PB/s |
| 500 Kbps | 0.0000000000625 PB/s |
| 800 Kbps | 0.0000000001 PB/s |
| 1000 Kbps | 0.000000000125 PB/s |
FAQs
Is 1 Kbps or 1 PB/s faster?
A petabyte per second (PB/s) is eight trillion times faster than a kilobit per second (Kbps). A bit per second (bps) is the smallest unit for measuring data transfer rates. Here are the relationships between the units.
1 Kbps = 1 × 103 bps = 1,000 bps1 PB/s = 8 Pbps = 8,000,000,000,000 Kbps1 PB/s = 8,000,000,000,000 × 103 bps = 8,000,000,000,000,000 bps1 Kbps = 1,000 ÷ 8,000,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000000000125 PB/s
How to convert from Kbps to PB/s?
To convert a data transfer rate from kilobits per second (Kbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s), follow the simple steps below:
- Write down the rate value in
kilobits per second (Kbps). - Multiply it by the value of a
Kbps-to-PBpsconversion factor:0.000000000000125or1/8 × 10-12. - 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 = 240 Kilobytes/s = 1,099,511,627,776 KB/s1 PB/s = 1,099,511,627,776 KB/s × 8 bits/s = 8,796,093,022,208 Kbps
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 = 240 Kibibytes/s = 1,099,511,627,776 KiB/s1 PiB/s = 1,099,511,627,776 KiB/s × 8 bits/s = 8,796,093,022,208 Kbps
You now know how to convert data transfer rate from kilobits per second (Kbps) 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.
