Bytes to Bits

Convert Bytes to Bits

"Bytes to Bits" Calculator

How to convert bytes to bits

Worked example: 1 byte = 8 bits

1 byte × 8 = 8 bits

Rule: bits = bytes × 8 — exact: 1 B = 8 bits.

Most asked values
Bytes	Bits
1 byte	8 bits
2 bytes	16 bits
4 bytes	32 bits
8 bytes	64 bits
16 bytes	128 bits
1,024 bytes	8,192 bits

FAQ

What is a byte and why does it hold exactly 8 bits?

A byte is the smallest block of memory a processor addresses on its own, and today it always means 8 bits. Early machines used bytes of 6, 7 and 9 bits, which is why standards say "octet" (IEC 80000-13) when the width must not be guessed.

What is the formula to convert bytes to bits?

Multiply the number of bytes by 8: bits = bytes × 8. For example, 1 byte × 8 = 8 bits, and one kilobyte (1,024 bytes) × 8 = 8,192 bits. The reverse conversion divides bits by 8.

How many different values fit into one byte?

Eight bits give 2⁸ = 256 combinations, that is the values 0 to 255. That is exactly why one colour channel of a pixel, or one character of a Latin-1 text, takes a single byte.