In this article, we’ll show you how to convert data transfer rates from megabits per second (Mbps) 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 Mbps and PB/s
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions and differences between Mbps 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 Megabits per second (Mbps)?
A Megabit per second (Mbps) is a unit of measurement for data transfer rates used when streaming or transferring data over the internet or network via a high-speed connection such as 4G mobile network, cable, or optical fiber connection.
It is part of the International System of Units (SI)[1] and uses decimal multiples of bits (106). It has symbols or abbreviations such as Mbps, Mb/s, Mbit/s, or Megabit/s.
One megabit per second equals one million bits per second or 1,000,000 bps or 0.000000000125 PB/s (1,000,000 ÷ 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 solid state drives (SSD) 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 × 1015 = 8,000,000,000,000,000 bps1 PB/s = 8 x 1015 ÷ 106 = 8,000,000,000 Mbps
Please refer to the FAQs section to find out when 1 PB/s = 8 × 230 = 8,589,934,592 Mbps.
Mbps 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 Mbps to PB/s: R(PB/s) = R(Mbps) × (1.25 × 10-10)
Or remember one of the following Mbps-to-PBps conversion factors:
1 Mbps = 1/8 × 10-9 PB/s1 Mbps = 1.25 × 10-10 PB/s1 Mbps = 0.000000000125 PB/s
Examples
Now, let's take a look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from megabits to petabytes per second (Mbps to PB/s).
Convert 900 Mbps to PB/s
Write down 900 Mbps and multiply it by the Mbps-to-PBps conversion factor: 1/8 × 10-9 or 0.000000000125 to get the rate value R in PB/s:
So, 900 megabits per second is equal to 0.0000001125 petabytes per second.
Alternatively, you can use our calculator by entering 900 into the Mbps box, and you instantly get the rate in PBps or PB/s, in this case, 0.0000001125 PBps or 1.125e-7 PBps.
Mbps to PB/s conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting data rates from megabits per second (Mbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s). It covers a range from 0.1 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps, allowing for easy and quick conversions between both units of measurement.
| Megabits per second | Petabytes per second |
|---|---|
| 0.1 Mbps | 0.0000000000125 PB/s |
| 0.5 Mbps | 0.0000000000625 PB/s |
| 1 Mbps | 0.000000000125 PB/s |
| 2 Mbps | 0.00000000025 PB/s |
| 4 Mbps | 0.0000000005 PB/s |
| 5 Mbps | 0.000000000625 PB/s |
| 10 Mbps | 0.00000000125 PB/s |
| 20 Mbps | 0.0000000025 PB/s |
| 30 Mbps | 0.00000000375 PB/s |
| 40 Mbps | 0.000000005 PB/s |
| 50 Mbps | 0.00000000625 PB/s |
| 60 Mbps | 0.0000000075 PB/s |
| 70 Mbps | 0.00000000875 PB/s |
| 80 Mbps | 0.00000001 PB/s |
| 90 Mbps | 0.00000001125 PB/s |
| 100 Mbps | 0.0000000125 PB/s |
| 200 Mbps | 0.000000025 PB/s |
| 500 Mbps | 0.0000000625 PB/s |
| 800 Mbps | 0.0000001 PB/s |
| 1000 Mbps | 0.000000125 PB/s |
FAQs
Is 1 Mbps or 1 PB/s faster?
A petabyte per second (PB/s) is eight billion (8,000,000,000) times faster than a megabit per second (Mbps). A bit per second (bps) is the smallest unit for measuring data transfer rates. Here are the relationships between the units.
1 Mbps = 1 × 106 bps = 1,000,000 bps1 PB/s = 8 × 1015 bps = 8,000,000,000,000,000 bps1 PB/s = 8,000,000,000,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 8,000,000,000 Mbps1 Mbps = 1,000,000 ÷ 8,000,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000000125 PB/s
How to convert from Mbps to PB/s?
To convert a data transfer rate from megabits per second (Mbps) to petabytes per second (PB/s), follow the simple steps below:
- Write down the rate value in
megabits per second (Mbps). - Multiply it by the value of a
Mbps-to-PBpsconversion factor:1/8 × 10-9or0.000000000125. - The result from multiplication is the value of the transfer rate in
petabytes per second (PB/s).
Is 1 petabyte 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 = 1 × 210 Terabyte/s = 1,024 TB/s1 PB/s = 8 × 210 Terabit/s = 8,192 Tbps1 PB/s = 8 × 230 Megabit/s = 8,589,934,592 Mbps1 PB/s = 1 × 250 byte/s = 1,125,899,906,842,624 B/s1 PB/s = 8 x 250 bit/s = 9,007,199,254,740,992 bps
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 = 1 × 210 Tebibyte/s = 1,024 TiB/s1 PiB/s = 1 × 230 Mebibyte/s = 1,073,741,824 MiB/s1 PiB/s = 1 × 250 byte/s = 1,125,899,906,842,624 B/s1 PiB/s = 8 x 250 bit/s = 9,007,199,254,740,992 bps
You now know how to convert data transfer rate from megabits per second (Mbps) 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.
