Free download calculator

How long will your download take?

Enter a file size and your actual download speed to estimate how long a game, update, backup, video, or large file should take.

Enter file size and connection speed

The calculator converts file size into bits, then accounts for the difference between advertised line speed and practical transfer efficiency.

File size

File size unit

Download speed Use Mbps unless you deliberately choose another unit.

Speed unit MB/s is megabytes per second; Mbps is megabits per second.

Transfer efficiency Real downloads lose some throughput to protocol overhead, Wi-Fi variation, server limits, and other traffic.

Estimated download time

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Practical transfer rate

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File size —

Connection input —

Efficiency —

Connection	Same file would take about

If the estimate is much faster than your real download, the bottleneck may be the server, Wi-Fi signal, local storage, network congestion, or another device using the connection.

Mbps vs MB/s

Internet plans are usually advertised in megabits per second (Mbps), while many apps show download speed in megabytes per second (MB/s). Eight bits make one byte.

Example

A 100 Mbps connection does not normally download at 100 MB/s. Its ideal maximum is about 12.5 MB/s before overhead and other limitations.

Common reasons downloads are slower

Weak Wi-Fi signal.
Remote server speed limits.
Other traffic on your network.
Slow storage or device hardware.
ISP or neighborhood congestion.

Need more internet speed?

Use the household speed calculator before upgrading your plan.

Internet Speed Calculator →

How download time is calculated

File sizes are measured in bytes, while most internet connections are advertised in bits per second. The calculator converts the file size to bits, converts your selected speed unit to bits per second, applies the transfer-efficiency setting, and then calculates the approximate elapsed time.

Why real downloads rarely match the perfect calculation

The mathematical maximum assumes a perfectly stable connection and a server that can send data as fast as your line can receive it. Real-world transfers have protocol overhead, Wi-Fi variation, background traffic, server limits, and sometimes storage bottlenecks.

Should you enter advertised speed or speed-test speed?

For the most useful estimate, enter the speed measured on the same device and in the same location where the download will happen. That usually predicts the experience better than the maximum speed printed on your ISP plan.