You want to sign up for a new internet connection or check your current subscription, and suddenly you see: “50 Mbit/s,” “100 Mbit/s,” or “16 Mbit/s.” It sounds technical, but it's crucial for your everyday life. This is because this information determines how fast you can surf the internet, stream videos, or download files.
But what exactly does Mbit/s mean? What does the abbreviation stand for, and how big is the difference between 50 and 100 Mbit/s really?
In this article, you'll learn what's behind the numbers and units, what you should look for when choosing your internet subscription, and how to find the right speed for your needs. Whether for occasional surfing, working from home, or family households with multiple devices, we'll shed some light on the technical jungle.
What exactly does Mbit or Mbit/s mean?
The abbreviation Mbit/s stands for megabits per second and describes the speed of your internet connection – i.e., how fast data is transferred from the network to your device. The higher the value, the more information can be downloaded or uploaded per second.
What is a megabit?
A bit is the smallest unit of digital information – essentially a tiny building block of your online activities. A megabit (Mbit) is one million of these bits. If your internet connection advertises 100 Mbit/s, for example, this means that up to 100 million bits can be transferred per second.
Important: Mbit is not the same as MB!
Many people confuse megabits (Mbit) with megabytes (MB) – even though they are completely different units of measurement.
The rule of thumb: 1 byte = 8 bits
This means: 100 Mbit/s = 12.5 MB/s (megabytes per second)
A download at 100 Mbit/s therefore downloads around 12.5 megabytes in one second.
This distinction is particularly important when comparing file sizes (MB, GB) with your internet speed (Mbit/s) – for example, when downloading a movie or software updates.
What does the number before Mbit/s mean?
The number before “Mbps” tells you how fast your internet connection is. The higher the value, the faster you can load web pages, stream videos, or download files. But what exactly is behind 16, 50, or 100 Mbps? We'll show you which speed suits which usage behavior.
What does 16 Mbit/s mean?
An internet connection with 16 Mbit/s is one of the slower options, but it is sufficient for basic everyday use. You can use it to visit websites, send emails, and occasionally stream in standard definition (SD).
However, this speed quickly reaches its limits – especially when several devices are online at the same time or data-intensive content is being used. This speed is usually too low for families or home offices.
What does 50 Mbit/s mean?
With 50 Mbit/s, you can already surf the web much more comfortably. This speed is ideal for:
HD-Streaming
video telephony
online gaming
Cloud services in the home office
Even when several people are online at the same time, the connection usually remains stable. This is a good all-round solution for singles, couples, or small households—especially if you value solid Internet performance.
What does 100 Mbit/s mean?
A 100 Mbit/s connection offers plenty of leeway—even for larger households or demanding applications. You can easily:
Download large files quickly
stream in Full HD or 4K
use multiple devices simultaneously at high speed
This speed is ideal for families, shared households, or anyone who works from home and needs a fast, reliable connection.
Good to know: TalkTalk offers internet speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s. Perfect for very data-intensive use.
In short: the higher the Mbit number, the faster your internet – and the more you can do at the same time without any lag. A lower speed is often sufficient for basic use, but if you stream, work, or game frequently, you should consider 50 or even 100 Mbit/s.
What internet speed do I really need?
Not every connection has to be ultra-fast – but not every connection is fast enough either. The right speed depends on how many people live in your household, how intensively the internet is used, and which devices are online at the same time.
A few simple questions will help you find out which speed is right for you:
How many people use the internet at the same time?
In a single-person household, a lower bandwidth is often sufficient—especially if you mainly surf or stream. However, if you live with several people who go online at the same time, you should choose a higher speed to avoid interruptions and long loading times.
What do you mainly do online?
Not every online activity requires the same amount of bandwidth. An overview:
use
Minimum recommended speed
Emails & Surfing
10–16 Mbit/s
HD-Streaming
from 25 Mbit/s
4K-Streaming
from 50 Mbit/s
Homeoffice / conferences
from 50 Mbit/s
Online gaming
from 50–100 Mbit/s
Multiple users simultaneously
from 100 Mbit/s
Many users or
very data-intensive use
from 1 Gbit/s
The more data-intensive your usage, the more Mbit/s you should plan for – especially if you depend on a stable connection on the go or when working from home.
WiFi or LAN – does it matter?
Yes, and it matters a lot. Even a fast connection is of little use if the WiFi is weak or the router is poorly positioned. For maximum performance, a wired LAN connection is recommended for large amounts of data – especially when working or gaming.
Our tip: If you are unsure about the speed you need, start with an internet subscription that can be upgraded – this gives you the flexibility to increase your speed if your needs change.
Conclusion – Understanding Mbit/s and making the right decision
Whether 16, 50, 100, or even 1000 Mbit/s: if you know what the numbers mean, you can choose the right internet subscription for your everyday needs – without paying too much and without frustrating waiting times when streaming or surfing.
Important:
Mbit/s refers to speed, not data volume.
The more users or data-intensive applications you have, the more Mbit/s you need.
The actual speed also depends on your connection, router, and connection type (Wi-Fi or LAN).
Our tip:
Test your surfing behavior realistically and then choose a subscription that suits the size of your household and your usage. This way, you can surf comfortably, securely, and without interruptions—at home or on the go.
FAQ: “What does Mbits mean?”
What does Mbit/s mean in relation to an internet connection?
Mbit/s is the unit used to measure the speed of your internet connection. The higher the value, the faster data is transferred—when loading web pages, streaming, or downloading files.
Why is uploading often slower than downloading?
Most Internet connections prioritize downloads, as users tend to download content from the Internet more often than they upload it. However, a good upload speed can also be important for video calls, cloud backups, or live streams.
What does 100 Mbit/s mean?
100 Mbit/s stands for data transfer at 100 megabits per second. That's enough for fast surfing, 4K streaming, large downloads, and multiple users at the same time. Ideal for families, shared apartments, or home offices.
What does 50 Mbit/s mean?
With 50 Mbps, you can comfortably stream in HD, hold online meetings, and connect multiple devices at the same time—a solid speed for singles, couples, or small households.
How much is 1 Mbit/s in MB/s?
1 Mbit/s corresponds to approximately 0.125 megabytes per second (MB/s). To convert from Mbit/s to MB/s, simply divide the value by 8.
Which is better: Mbit/s or 1 Gbit/s?
For normal surfing, HD streaming, and working from home, 50-100 Mbit/s is often sufficient. 1 Gbit/s is worthwhile if several people in your household are online at the same time using a lot of data, or if you frequently transfer large amounts of data, such as for video projects, backups, or game downloads. With TalkTalk, you get both!
You can find more articles about landlines, mobile phones, and your home network on our TalkTalk blog.
