Byte digital storage unit.
Bytes to Bits Converter — B to bit
Convert Byte (B) to Bit (bit) using the exact conversion factor (1 byte = 8 bit). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Bytes to Bits converter
Converter
Digital Storage Converter
Convert bits, bytes, decimal storage, binary storage, nibbles, and word sizes.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Bit digital storage unit.
Result = input x 8 / 1.
Digital storage uses bits as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Bytes to Bits
Byte and Bit are everyday digital-storage units, used for everything from file sizes and app downloads to storage device capacity and mobile data allowances. Byte is most often used for fundamental unit for file sizes and memory addressing.
Formula
bits = bytes × 8
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 byte equals 8 base units, and 1 bit equals 1 base unit, so dividing one by the other gives the direct byte-to-bit factor of 8.
Simple example
1 B × 8 = 8 bit
1 byte = 8 bits.
Real-world example
500 B × 8 = 4,000 bit
500 bytes = 4,000 bits.
Conversion table
| Byte (B) | Bit (bit) |
|---|---|
| 1 B | 8 bit |
| 8 B | 64 bit |
| 16 B | 128 bit |
| 64 B | 512 bit |
| 256 B | 2,048 bit |
| 1,000 B | 8,000 bit |
Reverse conversion: Bit to Byte
8 bit × 0.125 = 1 B
8 bits = 1 byte.
bytes = bits × 0.125
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Bit to Byte.
Understanding the Byte
Byte (B) measures digital storage. A byte is 8 bits, the standard unit for addressing a single character of text in most computer architectures. It is classified as a Base digital storage unit.
Where it's used: Universal in computing
Uses of the Byte today
- Fundamental unit for file sizes and memory addressing
- Base unit from which all larger storage units (KB, MB, GB) are derived
History of the Byte
The byte emerged in the 1950s-60s as computer architectures converged on 8 bits as a practical size for representing a single character; IBM's System/360 (1964) was influential in cementing the 8-bit byte as an industry standard.
Historical origin. Byte was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Bit (bit)
Bit digital storage unit.
Byte — sources
- IEC 80000-13 — Defines the byte and its relationship to the bit.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many bits are in 1 byte?
1 byte equals 8 bits, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert byte to bit?
Multiply the byte value by 8. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert bit back to byte?
Use the reverse factor: 1 bit equals 0.125 bytes. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a byte?
Byte (B) measures digital storage. A byte is 8 bits, the standard unit for addressing a single character of text in most computer architectures. It is classified as a Base digital storage unit.
What is a bit?
Bit (bit) is a unit of digital storage.
Is the byte to bit conversion exact?
Yes. Both byte and bit are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 8 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the byte still used today?
Universal in computing