Download Time Calculator
How long will a download take? Enter the file size in MB, GB or TB and your speed in Mbps or MB/s to estimate the time in hours, minutes and seconds.
Your results
This estimate uses the constant speed entered. Actual time can differ as throughput changes during a download.
Calculation breakdown
- Convert size to bits
- MB × 8,000,000; GB × 8,000,000,000; or TB × 8,000,000,000,000
- Convert speed to bits/sec
- Mbps × 1,000,000; or MB/s × 8,000,000
- Time
- bits ÷ bits per second
Worked example
A 5 GB game update on a 50 Mbps NBN connection takes about 5,000,000,000 × 8 ÷ 50,000,000 ≈ 800 seconds, or roughly 13 minutes 20 seconds.
Assumptions
- Assumes a constant, uninterrupted connection at the stated speed.
- Does not model changing throughput, protocol overhead, Wi-Fi conditions, congestion or server limits.
- 1 GB is treated as 1,000 MB (decimal), matching how ISPs advertise speed.
How this calculator works
Estimate download time from file size and connection speed. Enter the file size in your chosen unit and your download speed in megabits or megabytes per second to get a plain-English time estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my download slower than advertised?
The speed delivered during a particular download can differ from a plan's advertised maximum because of Wi-Fi conditions, network congestion, server limits and other bottlenecks.
Mbps or MBps — what's the difference?
Mbps is megabits per second (used for internet plans); MBps is megabytes per second (used for file sizes). There are 8 bits in a byte, so 100 Mbps ≈ 12.5 MBps.
Does this account for overhead?
No. The estimate divides file size by the speed entered and does not add a fixed overhead allowance. Actual throughput can vary, so use a measured speed when precision matters.
Content responsibility
Maintained by CalcAussie and last updated 13 October 2026. Checks applied: calculation method, worked examples, Australian terminology, material assumptions, official references where an external rule applies, and user-facing limitations.
Calculator results remain estimates based on the figures entered. Check material decisions against current official information and report a suspected error so it can be reproduced and corrected.