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Glite Dictionary
kbps

kbps

3.5
A measure of internet data speed equal to one thousand bits per second
  • symbol
  • Specialized
translation icon : kbps
  • My internet speed is only 256 kbps, so downloads take a long time.

Examples

  • The audio file was compressed to 128 kbps to save space.

  • The internet speed is 100 kbps.

  • Streaming high-quality video usually requires at least 1000 kbps.

  • Can you download files at 500 kbps?

  • My internet speed is only 256 kbps, so downloads take a long time.

  • The audio file was compressed to 128 kbps to save space.

  • Streaming high-quality video usually requires at least 1000 kbps.

Synonyms

data rate
vskbps
  • Specialized
2 3.4

The speed at which digital information moves through a connection, measured in bits per second

is the exact count of one thousand units transmitted each second
bitrate
vskbps
  • Specialized
2 4.2

The speed at which digital data is sent or processed in bits per second

expresses that same speed but specifically as one thousand units each second
bit rate
vskbps
  • Specialized
1 4.1

The number of bits sent or processed each second in audio and video files

is the exact one thousand units per second measure rather than a file-specific rate
bits per second
vskbps
  • Specialized
1 2.8

A unit that shows how many small pieces of information called bits are sent every second

is measured as one thousand of those units per second
bps
vskbps
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A count of how many bits of data are sent each second

is scaled to represent one thousand of that basic unit each second

How Fast

Gbps
  • Specialized
4.9
Mbps
  • Specialized
3.7
kbps
  • Specialized
3.5
bps
  • Specialized
1 3.8

Surface Forms

kbps main

Morphology

kbps = kilobit + second (semi-transparent) = k + b + p + s

The form encodes 'kilo' + 'bits per second' in abbreviated letter form, which is systematic but requires expansion and technical knowledge.

Etymology

Kbps breaks into the parts kilo-, bit, per, and second; kilo- means 'one thousand', as in kilogram, a bit is a tiny 'piece' of digital information, and per second means 'for each second'. So kbps tells how many thousand bits pass in one second, which is why it measures data speed.