Kilobit [Kb] to Gigabit [Gb] Converter

Definition: A kilobit (symbol: Kb or kbit) is a unit of information equal to 1000 bits. It is a multiple of the bit, which is the fundamental unit of data in computing and telecommunications.

History/origin: The kilobit is derived from the bit and utilizes the SI prefix 'kilo-' to denote a multiple of 1000. The term 'bit' was coined by Claude Shannon in the mid-20th century, while the use of prefixes like 'kilo-' for binary quantities became common in the early days of computing.

Current use: Kilobits are used to measure data transfer rates (e.g., modem speeds), storage capacities (for very small files), and data sizes. They are less commonly used today as larger units like megabits and gigabits have become more prevalent.

Definition: A gigabit (Gb) is a unit of data storage equal to 1,000,000,000 bits. It is a multiple of the bit and is commonly used to measure high-speed data transfer rates.

History/origin: Similar to the megabit, the gigabit uses the SI prefix 'giga' to denote one billion. Its usage grew with the increasing capacity and speed of digital communication technologies.

Current use: Gigabits are used to quantify very high data transfer rates, such as the speeds of Ethernet connections (e.g., Gigabit Ethernet) or fiber optic internet connections.