How many bits are there in a byte?

A byte consists of 8 bits. This is a fundamental concept in computer science and programming. Bits, the smallest unit of data in computing, can represent a binary value of either 0 or 1. When combined, 8 bits form a byte, which can represent 256 different values (ranging from 0 to 255). This grouping is essential for encoding characters and data formats in computer systems, influencing how information is stored and processed.

The other options represent different sizes of data or number of bits: 4 bits is a nibble, 16 bits form a word in many systems, and 32 bits typically correspond to a double word. However, none of these represent a byte, as the definition of a byte is specifically established as 8 bits.