Internet Download Time Calculator
Estimate how long it will take to download a file based on its size and your internet speed.
Realistic download time
8m 2s
At 85% efficiency. Actual speeds vary.
Ideal download time
6m 50s
409.6 seconds at full speed.
In seconds
481.9 s
Data transferred
5,120 MB
40,960 megabits.
Effective throughput
10.6 MB/s
What you should actually see.
- Runs entirely in your browser
- No data is stored
- Free forever
What is this calculator?
Internet plans are sold in megabits while files are measured in megabytes, which is why a download never takes as long as you guessed. This calculator converts both to the same unit, divides one by the other, and shows the result in seconds, minutes or hours along with a more realistic figure once network overhead is taken into account.
How does it work?
File size is converted to megabits by multiplying megabytes by eight, then divided by your speed in megabits per second to give the ideal time. The efficiency percentage scales that up to reflect Wi-Fi, congestion and server limits you meet in real life.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my download slower than the ideal time?+
Wi-Fi interference, network congestion, server limits and other devices on your connection all take a share. The efficiency setting accounts for that.
What is the difference between MB and Mb?+
A megabyte (MB) is eight megabits (Mb). Files are sold in bytes and internet plans in bits, which is why a 100 Mbps line moves about 12.5 MB per second.
What efficiency should I use?+
Eighty to ninety percent is realistic on wired connections. Drop to sixty or seventy on busy Wi-Fi or during peak evening hours.
Does the server matter?+
A lot. If the source caps each connection at 10 MB/s, a gigabit line will not go any faster no matter what you enter here.
Do these numbers apply to uploads?+
The maths is identical — just enter your upload speed instead. Most home connections upload far more slowly than they download.
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