Data Transfer Time Calculator
Planning a backup or large upload? This calculator converts file size and connection speed into an expected transfer time in minutes. Provide the size in megabytes and the sustained speed in megabits per second to understand how long the transfer should take.
Educational information, not professional advice.
Examples
- 700 MB over a 20 Mbps link ⇒ 4.67 minutes
- 1.5 GB (1,536 MB) over a 50 Mbps link ⇒ 4.10 minutes
- 250 MB download at 10 Mbps ⇒ 3.33 minutes
FAQ
Does this calculation include protocol overhead or latency?
No. It assumes you achieve the full stated bandwidth, so real-world transfers may take slightly longer.
How do I convert gigabytes to megabytes?
Multiply gigabytes by 1,024 to get megabytes before entering the value.
What if my internet speed test shows megabytes per second?
Multiply the megabytes-per-second result by 8 to convert it to megabits per second for this calculator.
Can I turn the answer into hours and seconds?
Yes. The output is in minutes; multiply by 60 for seconds or divide by 60 for hours.
Additional Information
- Transfer time (minutes) = file size in MB × 8 ÷ (connection speed in Mbps × 60).
- Wi-Fi and cellular speeds fluctuate; use a conservative bandwidth value to avoid missed deadlines.
- For multi-file transfers, add the sizes together to estimate the total duration.