Internet Speed Test

🚀 The Ultimate Internet Health Hub
This isn’t just a speed test. It’s a complete toolkit to help you understand, optimize, and improve your internet experience. Use the information below to diagnose issues and find the perfect connection for your needs.
📊 What Do My Speed Test Results Mean?
| Metric | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download (Mbps) | 100+ | 25 – 100 | Below 25 |
| Upload (Mbps) | 10+ | 5 – 10 | Below 5 |
| Ping / Latency (ms) | Below 20ms | 20ms – 100ms | Above 100ms |
🤔 How Much Internet Speed Do I Really Need?
| Activity | Recommended Minimum Speed |
|---|---|
| Streaming HD Video | 5 – 8 Mbps |
| Streaming 4K Ultra HD Video | 25 Mbps |
| Competitive Online Gaming | 10 – 25 Mbps (with low ping) |
| Video Conferencing (e.g., Zoom) | 3 – 5 Mbps |
| Working From Home (general use) | 25 – 50 Mbps |
💰 Finding the Best Internet Deals in the USA
| Provider | Speed (Download) | Starting Monthly Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Up to 300 Mbps | ~$25 | Promotional price, varies by location. |
| AT&T Fiber | 300 Mbps | ~$55 | Symmetrical speeds, great for uploads. |
| Google Fiber | 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) | ~$70 | Top-tier fiber, limited availability. |
| Spectrum | Up to 300 Mbps | ~$49.99 | No-contract options available. |
| Verizon Fios | 300 Mbps | ~$49.99 | Highly rated fiber optic service. |
| T-Mobile 5G Home | 72-245 Mbps | ~$50 | Uses 5G, speed depends on signal. |
| Starlink | 50-200 Mbps | ~$120 | Satellite option for rural areas. High hardware cost. |
Disclaimer: Prices and speeds are estimates and subject to change. They vary based on location and promotions. Always check the provider’s official site for current details.
📖 Key Internet Terms Explained
- Download Speed: How quickly you can pull data from the internet. Crucial for streaming and Browse.
- Upload Speed: How quickly you can send data to the internet. Important for video calls and sending files.
- Ping (Latency): The reaction time of your connection. Lower is better, especially for gaming.
- Jitter: The variation in your ping. High jitter causes stuttering in real-time applications.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are my Wi-Fi speeds slower than my advertised plan?
Wi-Fi is affected by distance, walls, and interference. For max speed, use a wired Ethernet connection.
What is the difference between Mbps and MB/s?
8 Megabits (Mbps) equals 1 Megabyte (MB/s). A 100 Mbps connection gives you a download speed of about 12.5 MB/s.
⚡ How to Improve Your Internet Speed ⏫
- Restart Your Router/Modem: A simple reboot can often resolve connectivity issues and improve speed.
- Use a Wired Connection (Ethernet): For the most stable and fastest connection, especially for gaming or large downloads, plug your device directly into your router.
- Optimize Wi-Fi Placement: Place your router in a central location, away from obstructions and other electronics that might cause interference.
- Update Router Firmware: Keep your router’s software up to date for better performance and security.
- Check for Background Applications: Close any apps or programs that might be consuming bandwidth in the background.
- Upgrade Your Internet Plan: If you consistently fall short of your needs, consider a higher-tier plan from your ISP.
- Consider a Mesh Wi-Fi System: For larger homes, a mesh system can provide better coverage and eliminate dead zones.
🎮 How to Lower Your Ping (Latency) ⏬
- Use a Wired (Ethernet) Connection: This is the most effective way to reduce ping as it eliminates wireless interference and instability.
- Close Background Applications: Any application consuming bandwidth can increase your ping. Close non-essential apps, especially during online gaming or video calls.
- Disable VPNs: While VPNs offer privacy, they can route your traffic through distant servers, significantly increasing ping. Disable them if low latency is critical.
- Choose a Closer Server: When playing online games, select game servers geographically closer to you.
- Limit Network Congestion: Avoid having multiple devices on your network performing bandwidth-intensive tasks (e.g., streaming 4K video, large downloads) simultaneously.
- Upgrade Your Internet Plan: Sometimes, a higher-speed internet plan with better infrastructure can naturally lead to lower ping.
- Restart Router/Modem: Similar to speed, a fresh start can sometimes optimize your connection’s routing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Speed Test?
A speed test is a definitive way to assess the quality, speed, and performance of your internet connection. It provides insights into how consistent the speed you’re currently receiving is with the speed promised by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Also known as a “speedtest,” this test helps you quickly determine your current internet connection speed in Mbps (megabits per second). It provides up-to-date statistics about your internet service, including your download speed, upload speed, ping value, and IP address.
Speed tests don’t tell you your absolute internet speed but offer a close estimate. Since results can vary depending on your location and the time of day, it’s beneficial to perform internet speed measurements frequently. Additionally, it’s always advisable to conduct two separate tests, one with a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection and one with a wired (Ethernet) connection. If there’s a significant difference between your current connection speed and the speed stated in your internet package, you might explore solutions to improve your net speed or contact your ISP directly.
How to Perform an Internet Speed Test?
To test your internet speed, follow these steps:
- Open a speed test page (e.g., Ookla Speedtest).
- Click the “Start” or “Go” button.
- The download speed measurement will begin.
- Wait for the upload speed measurement.
- It will take some time for the values to stabilize as the data volume increases.
- The real speed test is complete when all values are stable.
- If you wish, you can select a different server and repeat the Wi-Fi speed test.
- For a mobile data speed test, turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi connection and repeat the test.
What to Consider When Performing a Speed Test?
To get the most accurate results when measuring internet speed, pay attention to these points:
- Establish the connection with an Ethernet cable.
- Turn your modem off and on again before starting the speed measurement.
- Do not use the internet during the test; only keep the speed test page open.
- Always restart your PC or device before the test.
- Remember to clear your internet browser’s cache.
- Disconnect all other devices, such as mobile phones, TVs, and other gadgets, from the internet.
- Choose the closest and most suitable server.
- Repeat the internet test at different times of the day.
- Disconnect any VPN connection.
What Factors Impede Internet Test Results?
Many factors affect the speed and quality of your internet connection. Connection type, your location, open programs, the number of people you share the internet with, and the number of connected devices are just a few of these factors.
Phones, tablets, computers, and other devices have very different wireless and cellular communication network capabilities. This means that the ADSL speed test result you get on one device might differ on another, even if you’re using the same ISP. Some devices may not measure the full speed of your internet service. It’s also possible that your modem doesn’t support your internet speed.
The servers provided by the speed test site you use can perform differently. If you choose one of the servers closest to your location, you’ll generally get higher speeds.
Don’t hesitate to test with different servers, as speed differences can occur in different locations. It’s also normal for each browser to give different speed results.
What Should Be the Ideal Internet Speed in Mbps?
A good download speed is at least 50 Mbps, and a good upload speed is at least 10 Mbps. The ideal internet speed is between 50 and 100 Mbps. With 100 Mbps, you can stream videos seamlessly and in the best quality on Netflix or YouTube on multiple devices simultaneously, have clear Zoom meetings, and enjoy most online games without lag.
How much internet speed do I need for gaming?
With 10 Mbps, you can play most online games and even new AAA games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. However, the best internet speed for gaming is between 50 and 100 Mbps. Your internet speed might be good, but factors like network congestion and latency (lag) will affect your gaming experience, so it’s beneficial to have your connection speed as high as possible.
To watch movies and TV series in HD quality online, you need at least 3 Mbps download speed. With 5 Mbps, you can watch in 1080p quality, and with 25 Mbps, you can watch in 4K Ultra HD quality. However, if multiple devices are connected to your network simultaneously, these speeds may not be sufficient. You should consider upgrading to an internet package that offers higher download speeds like 100 Mbps.
If you work from home, we recommend a minimum of 50-100 Mbps download speed for remote work, and at least 10 Mbps upload speed if you frequently upload large files to the internet. If you don’t participate in online meetings, stream on YouTube, or work with tasks requiring high upload speeds like submitting graphic designs, you can choose the most suitable internet package for your needs.
If you’re livestreaming on YouTube or Twitch, you need at least 5 Mbps – 7 Mbps upload speed. The exact speed you need depends on the resolution and frame rate you’re streaming, as well as the type of content you’re broadcasting.
An average business requires at least 25 Mbps download speed for daily tasks such as sending emails, sharing files, using cloud-based software, and video conferencing. However, internet speed requirements for business/office purposes vary significantly among companies. As your organization grows and data usage increases, your speed needs will also grow. When choosing corporate internet packages, you should consider your business type, file download/upload habits, internet needs, and number of employees.
Why is Internet Speed Important?
Internet speed determines the limits of what you can do online, so it should be at a level that supports your daily internet usage. If your infrastructure supports it, you can get internet service up to 1000 Mbps.
Higher internet speeds provide faster downloads and uploads. Your internet search results come back faster, movie and music downloads take only a few seconds, and you won’t experience noticeable lag even if many devices or users use your internet simultaneously.
Your internet speed determines what kind of activities you can do online and how many devices you can connect simultaneously. If your internet speed is too slow, you’re likely to experience problems watching videos on YouTube, Netflix, or other platforms, playing online games, or sharing photos or videos on social networks.
Many ISPs advertise their download and upload speeds. However, these speeds are generally the maximum you can get. It’s always a good idea to know your real internet speeds.
Internet Speed Comparison by Connection Type
| Connection Type | Internet Speed |
|---|---|
| 🌐 ADSL | 10-25 Mbps |
| ⏫ VDSL | 50-100 Mbps |
| 📡 Cable Net | 50-100 Mbps |
| ⚡ Fiber | 100+ Mbps |
| 🛰 Satellite | 15-100 Mbps |
| 📶 5G | 1000 Mbps |
| 🤳 4G LTE | 100 Mbps |
| 📞 3G | 0.5 Mbps |
How Much Speed Do I Need?
| Internet Speed | Ideal User Count | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| 0-8 Mbps | 1-2 | ✅ Browse the internet ✅ Watch HD video |
| 8-16 Mbps | 2-3 | ✅ Watch Full HD video ✅ Play online games |
| 16-35 Mbps | 3-4 | ✅ Watch 2K video ✅ Live stream ✅ Video conference |
| 35-50 Mbps | 4-5 | ✅ Watch 4K video ✅ Faster file downloads ✅ Lower ping in multiplayer games |
| 50-100+ Mbps | 5-8 | ✅ Watch 8K video ✅ Faster downloads of large files ✅ 4K streaming ✅ Less slowdown with multiple devices |
Internet Speed Comparison for Movie & TV Series Apps
| Application | HD | Full HD | 4K UHD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| Disney+ | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| Amazon Prime Video | 1 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
Internet Speed Requirements for Music Apps
| Application | Low Quality | Normal Quality | High Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | 0.32 Mbps | 0.32 Mbps | 0.64 Mbps |
| Youtube Music | 0.06 Mbps | 0.26 Mbps | 0.51 Mbps |
| Apple Music | 0.51 Mbps | 1.70 Mbps | 7.46 Mbps |
| Deezer | 0.13 Mbps | 0.26 Mbps | 0.64 Mbps |
| Tidal | 0.64 Mbps | 2.82 Mbps | 4.61 Mbps |
What Should Be the Internet Speed and Ping for Online Games?
Recommended internet requirements for FPS games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Valorant, CS:GO, League of Legends (LoL):
- Download speed: 30 Mbps
- Upload speed: 1 Mbps
- Ping time: 15 ms
How to Perform a Ping Test?
To perform a ping test, follow these steps:
- Go to a ping test page.
- Click the “Start” button.
- The connection setup will begin.
- A ping will be sent to the server, and the ping time measurement will start.
- You can see the ping time in milliseconds (ms) in the latency section.
How to Check Internet Infrastructure?
The maximum internet speed you can get is directly related to the internet infrastructure technology in your region or at your address. Your address might have ADSL, VDSL, Fiber, or Cable Net infrastructure. You can check your infrastructure to find out if you have internet infrastructure at your home or where fiber internet is available.
- Go to the fiber infrastructure inquiry page of the ISP you use/want to use.
- Click on the “Inquire by Address” option.
- Enter your province, district, neighborhood, street, building, and apartment number.
- Click the “Inquire Infrastructure” button.
- The maximum speed supported by your infrastructure will be displayed.
- You can then look at internet plans that suit you.
Which Values Are Important in an Internet Speed Test?
Activities like listening to music on Spotify, downloading files from the internet, or watching movies/TV series on Netflix all require data download. Activities like sending emails, playing online games, and video calls on Zoom also require data upload. Depending on internet usage, download test results are important for some users, upload speed for others, and ping time for others.
If you enjoy watching movies and TV series online, the important value for you in an internet speed test is download speed. The higher your download speed, the better the quality and smoother video streaming you’ll experience.
If you’re livestreaming on YouTube, Twitch, or another platform, the upload test result is important for you. The higher your upload speed, the better quality stream you’ll provide to your followers. Upload speed also affects the quality of video calls you make through WhatsApp, Zoom, or other applications.
If you play online games like Valorant, LoL, or CS:GO, ping time is critical for you. The lower your ping speed result in a Wi-Fi speed test, the more enjoyable your gaming experience will be. If you’re experiencing freezes or lags while playing online games, your ping time is likely quite high.
If you work remotely, both download and upload speeds are important for you. To maintain seamless corporate activities for work, such as remote access to your office computer, uploading files to share documents with colleagues, replying to emails, and participating in online meetings, your upload speed needs to be as good as your download speed.
How Does Speedtest Measure Internet Speed?
When you start an internet speed test, multiple processes occur. The client typically identifies your location and the closest test server. Ookla Speedtest and other reputable internet speed measurement sites offer the option to change the server.
Once your test server is suitable, the Speedtest sends a simple signal (ping) to the server, and the server responds. The test measures this round trip in milliseconds (ms).
After the ping test is complete, the download test begins. The client opens multiple connections to the server and tries to download a small piece of data. At this point, it measures how long it takes to capture the data piece and how much of your network resources are being used.
If the client detects available capacity, it opens more connections to the server and downloads more data. The goal is to saturate your internet connection and determine how much it can handle simultaneously.
Once the client determines it has the right connections to test the internet connection, it downloads additional data pieces, measures the amount downloaded within the allocated time, and provides the download speed. The next test is the upload process.
This is essentially the same process as the download test, but in reverse. Instead of the client pulling data from the server to your computer, it uploads data from your computer to the server. The internet speed measurement process is then complete.
What Are the Average Internet Speeds?
- Download: 33.89 Mbps
- Upload: 8.34 Mbps
- Latency: 9 ms
According to current data from a leading internet speed tester, the average fixed broadband download speed is 33.89 Mbps. This places it at 111th in global rankings for average speed.
Where is the Fastest Internet in the World?
According to Ookla Speedtest data, the fastest internet in the world is in Singapore. This Southeast Asian country ranks first in global internet speed rankings with an average internet speed of 254.65 Mbps.
The top 10 countries with the fastest internet, in order, are:
- Singapore – 254.65 Mbps
- Hong Kong – 243.59 Mbps
- Chile – 240.43 Mbps
- United Arab Emirates – 240.25 Mbps
- Thailand – 212.68 Mbps
- United States – 210.40 Mbps
- China – 200.53 Mbps
- Denmark – 199.50 Mbps
- Spain – 173.45 Mbps
- Iceland – 173.45 Mbps
What Affects Download and Upload Speeds?
Even with the best internet package, you may not always achieve the highest speeds. Many factors can affect download and upload speeds. These include:
- Internet connection type (fiber, cable, DSL)
- Bandwidth
- Age of devices used
- Interference from Bluetooth devices and other wireless networks
- ISP outages
- Hardware failure
- Bad weather conditions
- Operating system, internet browser
- Line congestion
- Bufferbloat
How Does the Number of Connected Devices Affect Internet Speed?
In theory, multiple devices connected to a Wi-Fi network should not slow down internet speed. In practice, however, as the number of devices connected to the internet increases, bandwidth is shared, which affects speed.
Internet speed also depends on the type of usage. Activities like browsing web pages or reading emails consume a small portion of bandwidth, so multiple users connecting to the network simultaneously won’t significantly affect speed. On the other hand, activities like live streaming, watching high-quality videos, and downloading and uploading large files increase bandwidth consumption. This can lead to a significant slowdown of the internet.
Therefore, it’s important to remember that the activities performed by devices or users connected to the internet have a significant impact on internet traffic and available bandwidth. Most users don’t know how many users their modem supports.
You can find out how many devices can connect to your modem simultaneously by searching for its model number on Google. The more users and devices included in a home network, the lower the performance. Network load can be distributed by setting up a second router.
How Does the Modem Affect Internet Speed?
Most people don’t consider the modem when performing an internet speed test. Yet, the modem is one of the most important parts of your internet connection. You cannot access the internet without a modem. Using the wrong modem can significantly affect the speed of your internet connection.
If your modem is not rated to support the speed of your current internet package, your internet speed will be limited to the maximum speed the modem can support. For example, if your ISP provides 100 Mbps speed but your modem only supports up to 50 Mbps, the maximum speed you can get will be 50 Mbps.
A modem cannot provide internet speeds faster than its rating. The modem also does not increase internet speed. For example, if your modem supports 100 Mbps, but your ISP only provides you with a maximum of 80 Mbps, your maximum internet speed will be 80 Mbps.
You should ensure that your modem supports the data speed of your internet package. ISPs usually provide a suitable modem with your subscription application, so you don’t need to buy one separately. However, if you are not satisfied with your current modem and want to change it, check the modem’s connection types and speeds.
How Does Coverage Area Affect Internet Speed?
The distance between your wireless modem and your computer and other devices affects signal strength. The further you are from the modem, the weaker the signal will be, which will cause your speed to drop.
If you double the distance between your modem and your devices, efficiency decreases by one-third.
Objects like metal or water also block the signal. If you’re experiencing poor internet reception, rearrange objects that might block wireless waves to get a strong signal. You’ll notice that your full speed test results change.
Wi-Fi Speed Improvement Tips
- Place your modem in a more open area.
- Change the Wi-Fi frequency channel.
- Adjust your modem’s antennas.
- Use a Wi-Fi booster.
- Terminate unnecessary connections.
- Update your modem’s software.
- Turn off your modem, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
- Create a strong password for your modem and wireless network.
Why Does Internet Speed Drop in the Evening?
Many internet users wonder, “Why is the internet slow in the evenings?” Internet slowdowns in the evenings are usually due to network congestion. Just like rush hour traffic, there are times when everyone uses the internet heavily. For this reason, internet slowdown issues can occur, especially in the evening and night hours.
When people return from work or school, they engage in a variety of online activities such as streaming, browsing social media, and playing games. Simultaneous heavy usage increases bandwidth consumption, leading to network congestion. You’ll experience much slower internet access than at other times of the day, and you may not be able to play games or watch movies smoothly.
Network congestion and throttling are the most common reasons for internet slowdowns later in the day. The peak internet usage hours are generally between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM. The internet often runs slower during this period.
Speedtest Related Terms
- Ping: Refers to latency. Ping expresses the reaction time of your connection.
- Jitter: Refers to variation. It’s the time delay between a signal being transmitted and received over a network connection.
- Download: Refers to download speed. It shows how fast you download data from a server on the internet to your device.
- Upload: Refers to upload speed. It shows how fast you upload data from your device to the internet.
- Mbps: Megabits per second. The unit of measurement for internet speed. 1 Mbps = 1000 Kbps.
- Kbps: Kilobits per second. An older internet speed unit of measurement used for slower connections. 1 kilobit is 1000 bits of information.
- Gbps: Gigabits per second. A data transfer speed unit of measurement used for high-speed networks like Gigafiber. 1 Gbps = 1000 Mbps.
- Packet Loss: The non-receipt or missing of a data packet sent over the internet.
- ADSL: Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A technology that provides high-bandwidth data transmission to homes/businesses over copper telephone lines.
- VDSL: Very High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line. A new generation of broadband internet that uses telephone lines but offers higher connection speeds.
- Fiber: Broadband internet connection that uses fiber optic cables, offering very high speeds.
- Gigafiber: Flexible optical fiber access network technology that supports the subscriber’s bandwidth needs. Speeds up to 1000 Mbps are offered.
- WiFi: A wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide high-speed wireless internet access.
- 4G LTE: Also referred to as 4.5G. A high-speed data transfer standard based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies.
- 5G: Fifth generation mobile network. The new global wireless standard after 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.
- Ms: Millisecond. The unit of measurement for ping and jitter values in internet tests.
- Ethernet: Traditional technology used to connect devices in a wired local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
- Mb/s and Kb/s: Mean megabytes per second / kilobytes per second. Units of measurement expressed in bytes, which are the standard measure of file size.
- Bandwidth: The data transfer capacity of a network in bits per second (Bps).
- Metro Ethernet: An internet service that offers symmetric (equal) download and upload speeds thanks to fiber optic infrastructure.
- IPv4: The fourth version of the Internet Protocol and has a 32-bit address length.
- IPv6: The most current version of the Internet Protocol and consists of a 128-bit address length.
- Line Speed: The maximum speed a line can support.
- Server Location: Refers to the physical location of a web server.
- IP Address: Internet Protocol. A unique address that identifies a device on the internet or a local network.
- ISP: Internet Service Provider, a company that provides internet access to both personal and commercial customers.
- Bufferbloat: An undesirable latency situation that occurs when a modem or other network hardware buffers too much data.
- Network: A group of two or more devices connected to each other for the purpose of exchanging data and sharing resources.










