Mbps vs. Gbps: Do You Need Gigabit Internet?
Jul 28, 2023 | Share 
FAQ, Gaming, Internet Speed Guides
You don’t need Gigabit internet if all you do is check email and post on social media. You probably don’t even need it in a household of four. Gigabit internet is best used for running a public web server or livestreaming gameplay to Twitch, for example.
But what’s the difference between a megabit and a gigabit? Is one faster than the other? Think of the difference as comparing 100 pennies to a single dollar. With internet speed, 1,000 megabits equal a single gigabit. Saying and writing 10Gbps, for example, is just more efficient than 10,000Mbps. A gigabit connection is twice as fast as a 500Mbps connection.
We get it. Gigabit. Megabit. Mega pain in the brain. But don’t worry—we’re here to break down the technical details as simply as possible so you can determine if you need gigabit internet speeds or a slower connection.
Is your current speed in the megabit or the gigabit range?
Run our internet speed test to check your current speed, and then see if it matches your plan’s advertised speed.
Do you need gigabit internet speeds?
Your need for gigabit internet speeds squarely depends on what you do online and how many devices you have accessing the internet at one time.
For now, Gigabit internet is probably overkill for most homes because the chances of all five family members streaming Netflix in 4K to their devices simultaneously—which adds up to only 125Mbps—is rare at best. You definitely don’t need Gigabit internet if all you do is check email and browse the internet.
If anything, Gigabit internet is nice to have if you need to download large files fast, like full digital games and their chunky updates. The type of internet connection matters, too, as livestreamers get more upload bandwidth using fiber than they do with cable internet.
Here are some online activities where you won’t notice much of a difference with Gigabit internet and some where you will.
| Best with slow internet | Best with fast internet |
|---|---|
Streaming video
Streaming high-resolution video is one of the most bandwidth-intensive things you can do online. If you have people streaming on multiple devices in your home, the speed requirements can add up fast. Take a look:
| Netflix (4K) | Apple TV+ (4K) | Hulu (4K) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth (one device) | 25Mbps | 25Mbps | 16Mbps |
| Bandwidth (four devices) | 100Mbps | 100Mbps | 64Mbps |
To help, video services like Netflix and Hulu have a lot of tricks for keeping your viewing experience smooth, such as preloading (buffering) video in the background and lowering the video quality if your connection can’t handle the load. But even Netflix can’t help much if too many people try to stream at the same time.
Theoretically, Gigabit internet has enough bandwidth for 20 people to stream 4K content at the same time—and use only half of the available bandwidth. This is why Gigabit internet is overkill for most homes until 8K content streaming becomes the norm.
If you want to know the nitty-gritty details of speed requirements for video services, see how much speed you need to stream video.
Do any providers offer gigabit internet in your area?
Enter your zip code below to find out if there are any 1 Gbps or faster plans available to you.
Video chat
Video chat needs a fast connection, just like streaming 4K video. The big difference is that while Netflix needs a fast download speed, video chat needs both its upload and download speeds to be fast. This is where the type of connection becomes more important.
Gigabit cable internet has enough upload speed for a stable video call, but a Gigabit fiber connection runs at gigabit speeds both ways. This makes it ideal for video chat like Zoom and Skype, as well as livestreaming on sites like Twitch.
If you want to find out more, check out what makes a good download and upload speed.
Gaming online
Gaming online doesn’t require a lot of bandwidth. Speed is still important for having your game play smoothly, but it’s latency, rather than bandwidth, that is most important. The higher your latency, the more lag you will experience when playing. Most gigabit connections (especially fiber) have really low latency—but you can often get the low-latency connection you need for online games without splurging on the fastest plan available.
Want the fastest internet connection for gaming online?
Verizon Fios is our top choice for the best internet provider for gaming due to its low latency. We list other top picks, too, based on pricing, availability, and more.
Streaming games
Game streaming is different from online gaming. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna stream games to your devices from the cloud similar to how movies and TV shows stream from Netflix and Hulu. However, because games are interactive, you need good download and upload speeds for smooth gameplay.
Xbox Cloud Gaming, for instance, requires a constant download speed of at least 10Mbps on smartphones and 20Mbps on tablets, consoles, and computers. That’s less than what you need to stream Netflix on 4K, but you’ll probably see issues on a 100Mbps connection if other household members are using the internet, too.
To find out more about gigabit internet, check out the consumer’s guide to internet speed.
Which providers offer Gigabit internet and faster?
Gigabit internet plans are 940Mbps or 1,000Mbps, depending on the provider and the hardware they use. Nearly all cable and fiber internet providers offer gigabit speeds.
There’s no official name for speeds between 1,001–1,999Mbps although these speeds are generally associated with Multi-Gig internet. For now, the fastest cable internet plan you can get today is 1,200Mbps, and upload speeds typically reach up to 50Mbps. Spectrum is the only exception, with upload speeds of 500Mbps with its Gig plan in certain areas.
The fastest fiber internet plan you can get is 10,000Mbps, but most major internet providers like AT&T and Optimum top out at 5,000Mbps for now. All fiber connections have identical download and upload speeds.
Enter your zip code below to see which internet providers are available in your area.
| Service | Plan | Type | Speed | Cost | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband | 940 Mbps Internet | Cable, Fiber | Up to 940 Mbps | $50.00–$60.00/mo.*†‡ | |
| Astound Broadband | 1,200 Mbps Internet | Cable | Up to 1,200 | $44.99–$70.00/mo.*†‡ | |
| AT&T | Internet 1000 | Fiber | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $80.00/mo.# | |
| AT&T | Internet 2000 | Fiber | Up to 2,000 Mbps | $110.00/mo.** | |
| AT&T | Internet 5000 | Fiber | Up to 5,000 Mbps | $180.00/mo.†† | |
| CenturyLink | CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit | Fiber | Up to 940 Mbps | $70.00/mo.‡‡ | |
| Cox | Cox Go Super Fast | Cable | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $99.99/mo.§§ | |
| EarthLink | Fiber 1 Gig | Fiber | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $89.95/mo.|||| | |
| EarthLink | Fiber 2 Gig | Fiber | Up to 2,000 Mbps | $129.95/mo.|||| | |
| EarthLink | Fiber 5 Gig | Fiber | Up to 5,000 Mbps | $189.95/mo.|||| | |
| Frontier | Frontier Fiber 1 Gig | Fiber | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $69.99/mo.## | |
| Frontier | Frontier Fiber 2 Gig | Fiber | Up to 2,000 Mbps | $99.99/mo.*** | |
| Frontier | Frontier Fiber 5 Gig | Fiber | Up to 5,000 Mbps | $154.99/mo.### | |
| Google Fiber | 1 Gig | Fiber | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $70.00/mo.††† | |
| Google Fiber | 2 Gig | Fiber | Up to 2.000 Mbps | $100.00/mo.††† | |
| Google Fiber | 5 Gig | Fiber | Up to 5,000 Mbps | $125.00/mo.†††† | |
| Google Fiber | 8 Gig | Fiber | Up to 8,000 Mbps | $150.00/mo.†††† | |
| Mediacom | Internet 1 GIG | Cable | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $59.99/mo.‡‡‡ | |
| MetroNet | 1 Gig | Fiber | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $59.95/mo.§§§ | |
| Optimum | 1 Gig Internet | Cable, fiber | Up to 940 Mbps | $70.00/mo.|||||| | |
| Optimum | 2 Gig Fiber Internet | Fiber | Up to 2,000 Mbps | $120.00/mo.|||||| | |
| Optimum | 5 Gig Fiber Internet | Fiber | Up to 5,000 Mbps | $180.00/mo.|||||| | |
| Sparklight | Internet Gig | Cable | Up to 940 Mbps | $110.00/mo.**** | |
| Spectrum | Spectrum Internet® Gig | Cable | Up to 1,000 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | $89.99/mo. for 12 mos.†††† | |
| Verizon Fios | Internet 1 Gig | Fiber | Up to 940 Mbps | $89.99/mo.‡‡‡ | |
| Verizon Fios | Internet 2 Gig | Fiber | Up to 1,500-2,300 Mbps | $119.99/mo.##### | |
| Windstream | Kinetic Internet by Windstream 1 Gig | Fiber | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $69.99/mo.|||||||| | |
| Windstream | Kinetic Internet by Windstream 2 Gig | Fiber | Up to 2,000 Mbps | $169.99/mo.****** | |
| WOW! Internet | Internet 1 Gig | Cable | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $64.99/mo.#### | |
| Xfinity | Gigabit Extra | Cable | 1,200 Mbps | $80.00/mo.***** | |
| Xfinity | Gigabit Pro | Fiber | 6,000 Mbps | $299.95/mo.††††† | |
| Ziply Fiber | Fiber Internet Gig | Fiber | Up to 1,000 Mbps | $60.00/mo.‡‡‡‡‡ | |
| Ziply Fiber | Fiber Internet 2 Gig | Fiber | Up to 2,000 Mbps | $80.00/mo.‡‡‡‡‡ | |
| Ziply Fiber | Fiber Internet 5 Gig | Fiber | Up to 5,000 Mbps | $120.00/mo.‡‡‡‡‡ | |
| Ziply Fiber | Fiber Internet 10 Gig | Fiber | Up to 10,000 Mbps | $300.00/mo.‡‡‡‡‡ |
Read disclaimers.
Mbps vs. Gbps: What’s the difference?
The difference between Mbps and Gbps is the number of bits you can send and receive each second.
In the days of dial-up, modem speeds were usually measured in kilobits per second (Kbps), like 28.8k and 56k. Modern-day broadband speeds are now measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or in gigabits per second (Gbps). Here’s how the bits stack up:
- 1,000 bits = 1 kilobit
- 1,000 kilobits = 1 megabit (or 1 million bits)
- 1,000 megabits = 1 gigabit (or 1 billion bits)
Internet speed in Mbps or Gbps doesn’t mean data travels at specific speeds like cars zooming down a freeway—all data travels at the same speed, whether you have a DSL, cable, or fiber connection. Internet speed is more about the amount of data sent along the line in any given second. The higher the megabits per second, the faster you can download a file.
Imagine that your internet connection is a faucet and your provider cranks down on the knob. The water (data) trickles in a thin stream (1Mbps) and slowly fills the sink. You then feel like you’ve aged an entire year just to get a full sink of water. That translates to a slow internet connection.
But if your provider turns up the knob, your data flows like a waterfall (1,000Mbps). You’re using the same faucet, only the sink fills up faster when more data flows out, and you’ve only aged a few seconds. That translates to a fast internet connection.
Bits vs. Bytes: What’s the difference?
Although internet speed is generally measured in bits per second, you might also see terms like “megabytes” and “gigabytes.” Bits and bytes are both units of data, but they’re used in different circumstances.
- 1 bit = This is a single unit of data that is either a “1” or a “0”
- 1 byte = 8 bits
The term “bit” is typically associated with hardware and software. For instance, a 64-bit processor can handle a single data unit containing 64 bits. The term “byte” is typically associated with file size and storage because 100GB is easier to remember and shorter to write than 800,000Mb.
The bottom line is that internet speed is measured in megabits (Mb) or gigabits (Gb) whereas storage and file size is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). Note the use of the lower-case “b” for speed and the upper-case “B” for size.
If you want to know more, check out our article on the difference between bits and bytes.
How to convert between Mbps and Gbps
Because data rates are metric, converting between data rates is pretty easy. To move from one metric prefix to the next, you multiply or divide by 1,000. In other words, you just have to add or remove three zeros at the end of the number (or shift the decimal point by three places).
For example, to find how fast a 1,200Mbps internet connection is in kbps, you would multiply by 1,000:
1,200 × 1,000 = 1,200,000kbps
To convert this same speed to gigabits per second, you would divide by 1,000:
1,200 ÷ 1,000 = 1.2Gbps
You don’t normally have to convert between bits and bytes (unless you’re trying to manually estimate how long a download would take), but to do so, just multiply the number of bytes by eight, or divide the number of bytes by eight.
1,200 Mb = 150MB
The verdict: Gigabit internet is overkill for most homes
You don’t need a gigabit connection if all you do is surf the internet, check your email, and stream low-quality music. Gigabit plans aren’t exactly cheap, so there’s no need for the added expense if you’ll never utilize the boost in speed.
Consider your online activities before taking the gigabit plunge. Livestreaming and lossless audio streaming require a wider data pipeline than watching cat videos on YouTube. Knowing the difference between megabits and gigabits is a great tool for gauging what you need against all the hype surrounding gigabit connectivity—now that you know, you can pay for gigabit internet only if you truly need it.
FAQ about Gigabit internet
Do internet speeds go faster than a gigabit?
The fastest speeds available for residential internet top out at 10Gbps using fiber.
Of course, if you look at the infrastructure that the internet is built on, you can find connections carrying much more data. For example, the undersea cables that connect continents measure their bandwidth in terabits per second (Tbps). That’s 1,000 faster than a gigabit per second.
How do I get Gigabit Wi-Fi?
You can get Gigabit Wi-Fi by purchasing a router and a wireless device (smartphone, laptop) supporting Wi-Fi 6 or newer and 160 MHz channels. You can get around 1,680Mbps at close range using a 160 MHz channel versus 850Mbps using an 80 MHz one. Devices based on the newer Wi-Fi 6E spec give you more reliable top speeds if you use the new 6 GHz band.
Wi-Fi 5 can be speedy, too. You can get around 1,203Mbps in real-world speed at close range using a Wi-Fi 5 device (2 x 2) and a 160 MHz channel.
If you’re in dire need of an upgrade, we have a few ideas based on in-house testing:
Be sure your wireless devices support gigabit speeds before you invest in a new gigabit-capable router. Also, keep in mind that having a router and a device capable of gigabit speeds will do you no good if your internet connection is your slowest point. Even if your phone can handle 850Mbps in real-world speed, 400Mbps is the most you’ll get from a 400Mbps internet plan.
Does my device support Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds?
Whether your device supports Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds depends on the Wi-Fi spec it uses, the channel width it supports, and the number of antennas it has. Budget devices generally use a one-transmit one-receive configuration (1 x 1) while premium devices use a 2 x 2 configuration. Here’s a chart to give you an idea:
Wi-Fi 5 speeds
| Configuration | Channel width | Theoretical speed | Real-world speed* |
| 2 x 2 | 160 MHz | 1,733Mbps | 1,203Mbps |
| 2 x 2 | 80 MHz | 866Mbps | 660Mbps |
| 2 x 2 | 40 MHz | 433Mbps | 330Mbps |
* at two feet.
Wi-Fi 6 speeds
| Configuration | Channel width | Theoretical speed | Real-world speed* |
| 2 x 2 | 160 MHz | 2,400Mbps | 1,680Mbps |
| 2 x 2 | 80 MHz | 1,200Mbps | 850Mbps |
| 2 x 2 | 40 MHz | 600Mbps | 425Mbps |
* at two feet.
If your device has only a 1 x 1 antenna configuration, then halve the speeds listed above.
Disclaimers
Which providers offer gigabit internet and faster?
* Regional price differences may apply. No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
† Regional price differences may apply. 24 Month Internet Pricing. No contract required. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Experienced speeds may vary. New residential customers only.
‡ Regional price differences may apply. for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Experienced speeds may vary. New residential customers only.
# Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factros and are not guaranteed.
** Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factros and are not guaranteed.
†† Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factros and are not guaranteed. For 5GIG speed, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
‡‡ Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. Offer details. Offer includes professional installation at customer’s eligible location.
§§ for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement
|||| with a 12 month contract.
## w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 1000/1000 Mbps. Location dependent. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply. In select areas where available.
***w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 2000/2000 Mbps. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply. In select areas where available.
###w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 5000/5000. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply. In select areas where available.
††† Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc
††††Available in select markets only. Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
‡‡‡w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.
#####Available in select areas only. Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees.
§§§ Offers available to new residential customers only and may not be combined with other offers. MetroNet reserves the right to revoke or modify offers at any time. Taxes, fees, and other terms apply.
|||||| w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
### After 5TB of data usage, speed may be slowed for network management.
**** $10 charge for each add’l 100GB; Up to $50/mo.
†††† Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
‡‡‡‡ w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes & equip. charges. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
|||||||| For the first 12 months. No data caps. No overage charges. 30 day money back guarantee.
******With autopay for 12 months. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.
#### With enrollment in AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment & speed availability vary by area. $10 off for 12 months on regular rate of $74.99.
***** For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Taxes and equipment not included. Regional price differences may apply.
††††† With a 2-year agreement.
‡‡‡‡‡ For new residential customers only. No annual contract required. Prices shown are before taxes and fees and require autopay and paperless billing. Standard month to month pricing.
§§§§§ With enrollment in AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment & speed availability vary by area.
Author - Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
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