Bit

Overview#

Bit is a basic unit of data in computing and digital communications.

Bit can have only one of two values, and may therefore be physically implemented with a two-state device. These values are most commonly represented as either a 0 or 1.

The term Bit is a portmanteau of binary digit

Multiples of Bits#

Decimal ValueSI (Metric)Binary ValueIECJEDEC
10[3]kbitkilobit2[10]KibitkibibitKibitkilobit
10[6]Mbitmegabit2[20]MibitmebibitMibitmegabit
10[9]Gbitgigabit2[30]GibitgibibitGibitgigabit
10[12]Tbitterabit2[40]Tibittebibit–-
10[15]Pbitpetabit2[50]Pibitpebibit–-
10[18]Ebitexabit2[60]Eibitexbibit–-
10[21]Zbitzettabit2[70]Zibitzebibit–-
10[24]Ybityottabit2[80]Yibityobibit–-
!! Between a bit and a qbit Modern digital circuits are based on binary bits that can take on one of the two values, 0 and 1, and are stored using well-developed technologies at room temperature. At the other extreme are quantum circuits based on qbits which are delicate superpositions of 0 and 1, requiring the development of novel technologies typically working at cryogenic temperatures.

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