Bit vs. Nat — What's the Difference?

Basic unit of digital data.

Used in theoretical information science.

Signal unit in telecommunications.

Measure of information entropy.

Decision point in algorithms.

Relevant in statistical mechanics.

Smallest element of storage.

Applies in quantum computing.

Component of bytes.

Unit of information based on natural logarithms.

The bit is the most basic unit of information in computing and digital communications. The name is a contraction of binary digit.

A person who advocates political independence for a particular country

A small piece, part, or quantity of something

A spirit in Burmese mythology, whose cult is followed alongside Buddhism.

A set of actions or ideas associated with a specific group or activity

A logarithmic unit of information or entropy, based on natural logarithms.

A girl or young woman

(obsolete) Not.

A person's genitals

Not.

A unit of 12 1/2 cents (used only in even multiples).

Not at; nor at.

A mouthpiece, typically made of metal, which is attached to a bridle and used to control a horse.

A tool or piece for boring or drilling

A unit of information expressed as either a 0 or 1 in binary notation.

Put a bit into the mouth of (a horse).

A small portion, degree, or amount

A brief amount of time; a moment

A short scene or episode in a theatrical performance.

A bit part.

An entertainment routine given regularly by a performer; an act.

A particular kind of action, situation, or behavior

A matter being considered

(Informal) An amount equal to one eighth of a dollar

Chiefly British A small coin

The sharp part of a tool, such as the cutting edge of a knife or axe.

A pointed and threaded tool for drilling and boring that is secured in a brace, bitstock, or drill press.

The part of a key that enters the lock and engages the bolt and tumblers.

The tip of the mouthpiece on a pipe or a cigarette or cigar holder.

The metal mouthpiece of a bridle, serving to control, curb, and direct an animal.

Something that controls, guides, or curbs.

A binary digit, having either the value 0 or 1, used to store or represent data.

To place a bit in the mouth of (a horse, for example).

To check or control with or as if with a bit.

To make or grind a bit on (a key).

Past tense and a past participle of bite.

A piece of metal placed in a horse's mouth and connected to the reins to direct the animal.

A rotary cutting tool fitted to a drill, used to bore holes.

A coin of a specified value.

A ten-cent piece, dime.

A unit of currency or coin in the Americas worth a fraction of a Spanish dollar; now specifically, an eighth of a US dollar.

In the southern and southwestern states, a small silver coin (such as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12½ cents; also, the sum of 12½ cents.

A small amount of something.

(informal) Specifically, a small amount of time.

Fractions of a second.

A portion of something.

Somewhat; something, but not very great; also used like jot and whit to express the smallest degree. See also a bit.

(slang) A prison sentence, especially a short one.

An excerpt of material making up part of a show, comedy routine, etc.

The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers.

The cutting iron of a plane.

The bevelled front edge of an axehead along which the cutting edge runs.

(BDSM) A gag of a style similar to a bridle.

(MLE) A gun.

A binary digit, generally represented as a 1 or 0.

(computing) The smallest unit of storage in a digital computer, consisting of a binary digit.

Any datum that may take on one of exactly two values.

(information theory) A unit of measure for information entropy.

A microbitcoin, or a millionth of a bitcoin (0.000001 BTC).

(transitive) To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of (a horse).

Inflection of bite, bitten

Having been bitten.

The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which the reins are fastened.

Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.

In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece, or groat.

A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of anything; a little; a mite.

Somewhat; something, but not very great.

A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock.

The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers.

The cutting iron of a plane.

In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents.

To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.

The smallest unit of information, equivalent to a choice between two alternatives, as yes or no; on or off.

The physical representation of a bit of information in a computer memory or a data storage medium. Within a computer circuit a bit may be represented by the state of a current or an electrical charge; in a magnetic storage medium it may be represented by the direction of magnetization; on a punched card or on paper tape it may be represented by the presence or absence of a hole at a particular point on the card or tape.

A small quantity;

A small fragment of something broken off from the whole;

An indefinitely short time;

An instance of some kind;

Piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding;

A unit of measurement of information (from Binary + digIT); the amount of information in a system having two equiprobable states;

A small amount of solid food; a mouthful;

A small fragment;

A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;

The cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock or drill press;

Bits are more practical for everyday digital and computing applications, while nats are more suited to theoretical and scientific research.

Yes, conversion is possible using the relationship 1 nat=log(e) bits.

Nats simplify calculations in fields that benefit from natural logarithmic relationships, like statistical mechanics.

Nats are generally not used in standard computing hardware or software; they are more relevant in theoretical studies.

In data storage, bits represent the smallest unit of data, with storage capacities typically quoted in bytes (eight bits each).

Bits and nats are related through their logarithmic bases; 1 bit is approximately 0.693 nats.

A bit is the basic unit of information in digital technology, used in computing and telecommunications to represent binary data.

A nat represents a unit of information or entropy measured using the natural logarithm base e.

The prevalence of bits indicates their fundamental role in the operation and design of digital systems, from storage to data transmission.

In theoretical analyses where natural logarithms simplify the mathematical expressions, nats would be preferable.