Mbps vs Gbps — What’s the Real Difference in Internet Speed?

Shopping for internet plans can feel like alphabet soup: Mbps, Gbps, megabits, gigabytes — what does it all mean? Knowing the difference between Mbps vs Gbps can save you money and make sure your household gets the right speed without overpaying for more than you need. 

Understanding Internet Speed Units 

What is Mbps? 

Mbps (megabits per second) is the measurement you’ll see most often in home internet plans. Think of it as the everyday unit of speed. A plan offering 100–500 Mbps can handle browsing, HD streaming, Zoom calls, and even some gaming without breaking a sweat. 

What is Gbps? 

Gbps (gigabits per second) is the heavyweight champion of speed. One Gbps equals 1,000 Mbps. That kind of bandwidth is perfect for big households where people are streaming 4K content, gaming online, and downloading huge files all at once. 

Bottom line: Mbps vs Gbps isn’t just about bigger numbers — it’s about matching the speed to your lifestyle. 

Quick Mbps vs Gbps Comparison 

How Many Mbps is 1 Gig? 

A common question is: How many mbps is 1 gig? 
The answer: 1 gigabit (1 Gbps) = 1,000 Mbps. 

That conversion makes it easier to compare plans side by side. If your provider offers a 1 Gbps plan, it’s literally 1,000 Mbps of speed. For perspective, downloading a 5 GB file takes about 40 seconds at 1 Gbps but over a minute at half the speed. 

And if you’re asking How many mbps is 1 gig when shopping, you’re already thinking smart — it shows you’re comparing the numbers before signing up. 

Gigabit vs Gigabyte — Why They’re Not the Same 

The terms gigabit vs gigabyte confuses almost everyone at first. Here’s the key: 

• Gigabit (Gb): Measures internet speed. (1 Gb = 1,000 Mb) 

• Gigabyte (GB): Measures file size. (1 GB = 8 Gb) 

So if you’ve ever wondered why your 1 Gbps internet doesn’t download a 1 GB movie in exactly one second — it’s because gigabit vs gigabyte isn’t a one-to-one match. You need to divide by 8 to get a real-world sense of download time. 

When you’re comparing gigabit vs gigabyte, just remember: bits = speed, bytes = storage. 

Megabit vs Megabyte — Clearing the Confusion 

It doesn’t stop there. Megabit vs megabyte also trips people up: 

• Megabit (Mb): Internet speed. (1 Mb = 1,000 Kb) 

• Megabyte (MB): File size. (1 MB = 8 Mb) 

Example: If you’ve got a 25 Mbps connection, it takes about 8 seconds to download a 25 MB file under ideal conditions. That’s the difference in action between megabit vs megabyte. 

Whenever you’re evaluating a plan, check whether you’re reading about megabit vs megabyte — the capital “B” makes all the difference. 

When to Choose Mbps and When to Choose Gbps 

Not sure which you need? Use this guide: 

Most households are covered by 100–300 Mbps. But if you’ve got 5+ people streaming 4K at the same time or gaming competitively, Gbps speeds are worth it. 

That’s the core of the Mbps vs Gbps debate: standard plans fit most users, but power users thrive on gigabit speeds. 

Internet Providers and Their Speed Offerings 

Different providers offer different ranges, but here’s a quick snapshot: 

EarthLink is a standout for its fiber plans, which can reach up to 5 Gbps in select areas. With fiber, you also get symmetrical speeds — meaning uploads are just as fast as downloads — something cable providers often can’t match. 

How to Check Your Current Internet Speed 

Before you decide whether Mbps is enough or Gbps is worth it, test your current speed: 

1. Close unnecessary apps and downloads. 

2. Connect your device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. 

3. Go to TestMySpeed.com  

4. Click “Start Test.” 

5. Review your download, upload, and ping speeds. 

6. Run the test at different times of day to see how consistent your connection really is. 

Key Takeaways — Mbps vs Gbps at a Glance 

• Mbps vs Gbps: Mbps is the standard, Gbps is 1,000 times faster. 

• How many mbps is 1 gig? 1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps. 

• Gigabit vs gigabyte: Bits = speed, Bytes = storage. 

• Megabit vs megabyte: Lowercase “b” = internet speed, uppercase “B” = file size. 

• EarthLink offers some of the fastest fiber internet speeds, up to 5 Gbps.