Bit vs byte and metric vs binary prefix

Everyone with a bit of computer science education knows the difference between a bit and a byte: 1 byte consists of 8 bits. For instance, this is a byte: 1001,1111. However, fewer people know how to actually write bits and bytes as units correctly. Here is a concise explanation:

1 kb = 1,000 bits (1,000 binary digits)

1 Kib = 1,024 bits (1,024 binary digits)

1 kB = 1,000 bytes (8 × 1,000 = 8,000 bits)

1 KiB = 1,024 bytes (8 × 1,024 =8,192 bits)

Mnemonic: Bit is smaller than byte, it has therefore a lower-case (small) letter.

Notice that Internet providers use mostly metric bits (e.g. kb or Mb), since then they can claim they provide larger nominal connection speeds.

For instance, 1 Mb/s = 1,000 kb/s = 125 kB/s = 122.07 KiB/s.

Value SI
1,000 k kilo
1,0002 M mega
1,0003 G giga
1,0004 T tera
1,0005 P peta
1,0006 E exa
1,0007 Z zetta
Value IEC
1,024 Ki
1,0242 Mi
1,0243 Gi
1,0244 Ti
1,0245 Pi
1,0246 Ei
1,0247 Zi