Free tool
Download Time Calculator
Enter a file size and your internet speed to see how long the download will take.
How to use the download time calculator
- Enter the file size and pick its unit (KB, MB, GB or TB).
- Enter your download speed, usually in Mbps. You can find it with our speed test.
- Optionally choose a real-world efficiency to allow for network overhead.
- Press Calculate to see the time in days, hours, minutes and seconds.
The download time formula
Time (seconds) = File size in bits / Speed in bits per second. Because file sizes are usually given in bytes and speeds in bits, the file size is first multiplied by 8.
Example: a 1 GB file is 8,000 megabits. At 100 Mbps it takes 8,000 / 100 = 80 seconds.
| Speed | Same as |
|---|---|
| 8 Mbps | 1 MB/s |
| 50 Mbps | 6.25 MB/s |
| 100 Mbps | 12.5 MB/s |
| 1 Gbps | 125 MB/s |
When this calculator helps
- Game downloads. Plan how long a 50 GB or 100 GB game will take to install.
- Movies and streaming. Estimate how long to download a film for offline viewing.
- Software updates. Know in advance how long an operating system update will take.
- Backups and uploads. Estimate cloud backup time using your upload speed.
- Choosing a plan. Compare how much faster a higher-speed plan would be.
Frequently asked questions
How is the download time calculated?
The calculator converts the file size into bits, converts your speed into bits per second, and divides one by the other. Download time = file size in bits / download speed in bits per second.
Why is my real download slower than the estimate?
The estimate assumes the full speed is used for the whole download. In real life, Wi-Fi signal, network overhead, server limits, other devices on your network and peak-hour congestion all lower the speed. Use the Real-world efficiency option for a more realistic result.
What is the difference between Mbps and MB/s?
Mbps means megabits per second and is how internet providers advertise speed. MB/s means megabytes per second and is what most download managers show. One byte has 8 bits, so 8 Mbps equals 1 MB/s.
Are MB and GB counted as 1,000 or 1,024?
This calculator uses decimal units (1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes, 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes), the same way internet speeds are measured. Your operating system may show slightly larger sizes because it can count in units of 1,024.
How do I find my download speed?
Run our free Internet Speed Test on the home page. It measures your download speed in Mbps, which you can type straight into this calculator.
Does this calculator work for uploads too?
Yes. Enter your upload speed instead of your download speed and the result is the estimated upload time.