# Bitrate
> Bitrate is how much data a video or audio stream uses each second.
Topics: Entertainment, Connectivity
Difficulty: Getting technical
Aliases: bits per second, Mbps
Updated: 2026-06-26T08:00:00.000Z
## Go deeper
Bitrate is how much data a video or audio stream uses each second. In everyday buying decisions, the useful question is not just what the spec says, but what it changes for comfort, cost, speed, safety, or battery life.