Bits and Bytes explained
A bit is the smallest unit of data in computing, with a value of either 0 or 1. Whenever you see a lowercase b associated with a number, it's likely to be a bit. It can be prefixed with kilo- (for 1,024 bits, or 2 to the 10th power) or mega- (1,024 x 1,024 bits or 2 to the 20th power), and sometimes finds its way into data transfer speeds (such as 14.4 Kbps, or kilobits per second).
A byte usually denotes 8 bits, which the computer treats as a single unit. Longer sequences like 16 and 32 bits are also possible. Byte is Abbreviated as uppercase B.
b = bit, 1 piece of data
B = byte, 8 bits
Kb = kilobit, 1024 bits
KB = kilobyte (sometimes expressed as just "K"), 1024 bytes
Mb = megabit, 1024 kilobits
MB = megabyte, 1024 kilobytes
A 50-KB image will take approximately this long to download on the following modems:
2.4 Kbps (2400 baud) = 170.64 seconds
9.6 Kbps (9600 baud) = 42.64 seconds
14.4 Kbps = 28.48 seconds
28.8 Kbps = 14.24 seconds
33.6 Kbps = 12.16 seconds
56 Kbps = 7.31 seconds
ISDN (128 Kbps) = 3.20 seconds
T1 (1.44 Mbps) = .2848 second
T3 (45 Mbps) = .0009104 second
Reference:
How Bytes
and Bits Work
Standard
Binary Storage Measurements
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