Key Differences Between Bits and Bytes Explained

Bits and bytes are often used in computer networking, computer storage, and memory.

But most of them are often confused about the difference between bits and bytes, Kilobits and Kilobytes, Megabits, and Megabytes are.

Bit and bytes both are used to measure the amount of data but in different contexts.

Bits are mainly used to measure the data transfer speeds in computer networking, like 80 Mbps.

Whereas, bytes are generally used to measure storage space and memory in computers like 250GB (gigabytes) in the hard disk.

But, this is not the only difference.

Let’s dive in to understand bits and bytes differences in different contexts.

How bits and bytes differ in writing?

In writing, bits, and bytes differs, which create most confusion to people.

You should remember that a byte is always an uppercase “B” and a bit is always in lowercase “b.”

Likewise, when we say “MB,” all capitals, then it is a megabyte, and when it is “Mb,” only the first letter capital, then it is a megabit. It is similar for the case, GB for gigabyte and Gb for gigabit.

The only exception for the above rule is kb; all are denoted in lowercase, kilobit.

To remember or to figure out the difference, always think that an uppercase “B” is physically more massive than the lowercase “b” as a byte is larger than a bit.

Bits and Bytes in computer networking

A bit, as a unit, used to refer to networking and downloading speeds.

Whenever we talk about data transmitted over a network, transfer of files in a network, and download and upload speed in broadband, then we are merely referring the measurement in bits.

But, how are the bits (digital signal) generated in a network during transmission of data?

The modern computer, nowadays, generates bits by using the various pattern of voltage or current levels into digital signals that represent 0s and1s during transmission of data. This process is also called the encoding of data.

The generation of bits (1s or 0s), that is, digital signals, may vary in a different medium.

In Ethernet connections, the bits are generated from the electric signals by varying voltages. Whereas, in Wifi, the bits are formed from radio signals by varying frequencies.

Similarly, Fiber connection uses pulses of light to generate bits, which get transmitted over a network as a digital signal.

So, based on the file size and downloading speed, you can easily estimate how long it will take to download or upload a file.

For instance, you have a 20 MB file size to download, and the connection speed is 20 Mbps, then it doesn’t mean that it will take one second; instead, it will take eight times one second (1 byte = 8 bits).

Because a megabyte (MB) is eight times bigger than a megabit (Mb), so, theoretically, it will take 8 seconds to download 20 MB file size with a connection speed of 20 Mbps.

Let learn how bits and bytes play a role in computer networking.

The IP address in computer networking

We have heard of IP address whenever we talk of internet connection or local area network (LAN).

An IP address, termed as Internet Protocol address, is an identity given to a computer in a network so that it can interact within a network or internet.

In Internet Protocol version 4, the IP address consists of 32 bits (4 bytes). The IP address, like 192.168.0.1, all combined with dots (.), have values 192,168,0, and 1.

As we have learned, each byte consists of 8 bits, which means 256 (2 to the 8th power) values.

So, it will range from 0 to 255, in which 0 is the minimum value, and 255 is the maximum value.

Hence, the maximum IPv4 address will be 255.255.255.255, and it will not go beyond this.

So, when the IP address 192.168.0.1 is encoded in digital form, then it will be represented as below.

11000000 10101000 00000000 00000001

Transfer of files in networking

The transfer of data in computer networking is usually measured in units of bits per second (bps).

Currently, all modern networks are capable of transferring files in millions or billions of bits per second, which is called megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps), respectively.

The confusion arises when you see the download speed is in bytes, but the connection speed is in bits.

For instance, if you have 80 Mbps internet connection speed, then the downloading speed you will observe is 10 MB/s.

It means that 10 MB (megabyte) is equal to 80 Mb (megabit) – 8 times of 10 MB (1 Byte = 8 bits).

Now, it is clear that all type of communication in a network is in bits. But, when we talk about storage and memory in the computer, the scenario is different.

Bits and Bytes in Computer Storage and memory

A byte, as a unit, used to refer a storage space and memory in a computer.

But, why byte is used to measure the storage space and memory in the computer.

As we know, a bit is a binary digit, which holds any of the two values: 0 and 1. And, also it is the smallest unit in a computer that is used for storage purpose.

But, a single bit can’t represent everything.

So, to represent complete information and to include every character, we combined 8 bits to form 1 byte.

Now, the question arises why we grouped only 8 bits to form 1 byte.

As we have discussed, one byte can have 256 (0 to 255) possible values, and also the total number of characters in ASCII is 256.

So, 8 bit can store any of the 256 characters ( 2 to the 8th power). That’s why byte is used as a standard measurement unit.

How to convert bits and bytes on the computer?

You would be thinking 1 kilobyte (KB) equal to 1000 bytes, but it is wrong.

Because of computer use binary (base of 2) instead of decimal (base of 10).

2^1 = 2
2^2 = 2*2 = 4
2^3 = 2*2*2 = 8
2^10 = 1,024

So, the correct value of 1 kilobyte (KB) equal to 1024 bytes (2 to the 10th power).

Now, as per the above rule, you can easily convert bit and bytes value.

8 bits = 1 byte
1024 bytes (2 to the 10th power) = 1 kilobyte (KB)
1,048,576 bytes (2 to the 20th power) = 1024 kilobytes = 1 megabyte (MB)
1,073,741,824 bytes (2 to the 30th power) = 1024 megabyte = 1 gigabyte (GB)
1,099,511,627,776 bytes (2 to the 40th power) = 1024 gigabytes = 1 terabyte (TB)

Why my hard disk showing a different number?

Most of the drive manufacturers use a decimal number system to define the storage capacity, but when you put the hard disk on the computer, it shows a different number.

Because computers use a binary number system to measure the capacity of the hard disk, so, the discrepancy is not because of malfunction, but its a matter of conversion.

For instance, if you have purchased 10 GB hard disk, then according to manufacturers, the storage capacity would be 10,000,000,000 bytes. But, the computer will acknowledge different values.

In the case of a computer, 10 GB is equal to 10,737,418,240 bytes (2 to the 10th power).

So, when we convert manufacturer storage capacity, that is, 10 GB (decimal value) into a binary system, then the value would be 9.31 GB. According to the computer, 9.31 GB would be the actual capacity you would be holding.

Wrap up

The preferences of bits and bytes may differ in the different scenarios, but the relation it holds remains the same, which is 1 byte = 8 bits.

The representation of bytes and bits are always in uppercase (B) and lowercase (b) letter.

Another important thing to remember, the transfer of data in networking is mostly calculated in the decimal value (base of 10). But, the storage or memory in a computer is calculated in a binary system (base of 2).