How to Convert Bits per second to Kilobits per second (bps to kbps)
Broadband plans in Singapore are sold in Mbps and Gbps, while download managers show MB/s, so converting between them shows how fast files really arrive. This guide shows how to convert bits per second into kilobits per second by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert bits per second to kilobits per second, multiply the value by 0.001. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 1,000). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 0.001.
Kilobits per second = bits per second × 0.001
Worked examples
- 3 bps = 0.003 kbps
- 12.5 bps = 0.0125 kbps
- 75 bps = 0.075 kbps
Bits per second to Kilobits per second table
| Bits per second | Kilobits per second |
|---|---|
| 1 bps | 0.001 kbps |
| 2 bps | 0.002 kbps |
| 5 bps | 0.005 kbps |
| 10 bps | 0.01 kbps |
| 20 bps | 0.02 kbps |
| 25 bps | 0.025 kbps |
| 50 bps | 0.05 kbps |
| 100 bps | 0.1 kbps |
| 250 bps | 0.25 kbps |
| 500 bps | 0.5 kbps |
| 1,000 bps | 1 kbps |
Common questions
Is bps to kbps exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Kilobits per second to Bits per second converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
Multiplying when you should divide
Converting to a smaller unit gives a bigger number, and converting to a larger unit gives a smaller one. If your answer moves the wrong way, you have inverted the factor.
Background
Unit conversion is simply multiplication by a fixed ratio. The ratio between two units of the same quantity never changes, so once you know it you can convert any value in either direction.
Many conversion factors are exact by definition. The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres since 1959, and the pound as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so conversions involving them can be as precise as you need.
Writing the units next to every number while you work is the simplest way to avoid mistakes. If the units do not cancel to leave the one you want, the calculation is set up wrongly.
For any value, use the Bits per second to Kilobits per second Converter or browse all data transfer rate converters.
Run your own numbers: Bits per second to Kilobits per second Converter