Check Upload, Download, Ping & Jitter

It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) and determines how quickly you can load web pages, stream video, download files, or update apps. HD streaming, video calls, and light gaming. Just like your home address, phone number, or license plate number, this information is sensitive and shouldn’t be shared publicly. Just like packages you order are sent to your home address, data you request is sent to your IP address.

How fast should my internet speed be?

• Your download speed () is fasterslower than the average speed in -.
• Our free speed test app will keep track of your test history plus troubleshoot your internet speed issues.
• Understanding which factor is causing your slowdown is the first step toward fixing it, or deciding whether a faster internet plan or a different provider makes more sense.
• Plus, you need at least 2Mbps for every passive device connected to your home network, like AI-driven speakers and smart thermostats.
• For remote workers, content creators, or anyone on frequent Zoom or Teams video calls, this gap can be a real constraint.
• If your equipment test shows healthy speeds but device speeds are low, the issue is inside your home (your router, Wi-Fi coverage, or device hardware).

The location of the server you connect to in order to run the speed test. Lower latency means your connection has a better response time for activities like gaming and livestreams. For more in-depth information, check out our consumer’s guide to internet speed. Our free speed test app will keep track of your test history plus troubleshoot your internet speed issues. In the meantime, find out how much speed you actually need.

• If none of these steps help and speeds remain consistently below your plan’s advertised rate, the problem may lie with your provider or your equipment.
• Immedietely following the download test, the upload speed test will start.
• You can also enter your zip code below to compare internet providers in your area—it may be time to upgrade.
• Jitter is the variation in the time between data packets arriving at your device.
• How many people in your household use the internet/WiFi on a daily basis?
• However, keep in mind that the internet port on the router you choose needs to be faster than the plan you have.

Check your address to see if our multi-gig speeds are available in your area. Fiber internet provides the fastest plans you can get—at least, for now. Wi-Fi 7 is best, honestly, but Wi-Fi 6E also works if your devices can access the 6 GHz band. We can walk you through 10 steps to improve your internet speed in just 15 minutes. For example, there may be issues with the provider’s service area, like faulty connections somewhere within the neighborhood. Some internet providers state “up to” when advertising maximum speeds because many variables can prevent you from hitting that top speed.

What is an IP address?

Most of the time, your internet speeds will fluctuate within a small range of the advertised max speed. Other factors can thwart your speed test results, too, like failing or outdated equipment, local network congestion, bad wired connections, and more. Does your household download large files from the cloud or via the internet? How many devices in your home connect to the internet, including tablets, gaming consoles, and smart devices? How many people in your household use the internet/WiFi on a daily basis? Plus, you need at least 2Mbps for every passive device connected to your home network, like AI-driven speakers and smart thermostats.

What is upload speed?

Ping is the time it takes for a small data packet to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Most cable and DSL plans are asymmetric, meaning upload speeds are significantly lower than download speeds. An internet speed test measures your internet connection’s performance and provides results for download and upload speed, latency, and jitter. The latest Wi-Fi specification is version 7, so now is a good time to upgrade if you’re sporting a Wi-Fi 5 router.

How to Test Your Internet Speed

The right internet speed for your household depends on how many people are connected and what they’re doing at the same time. A household with 4 people and 15+ connected devices will consistently underperform on a 100 Mbps plan, even if usage seems light. If you’re consistently seeing 50% or more below your plan speed, that’s worth investigating, or it may be time to compare what other internet providers and plans are available in your area. You can improve your internet speed by restarting your equipment, updating your equipment’s firmware, restarting your devices, or upgrading to a faster plan.
In either case, it may be worth exploring a faster plan or a different provider. Routers older than 3–4 years often can’t support current Wi-Fi standards, and some internet providers throttle speeds during peak hours. If none of these steps help and speeds remain consistently below your plan’s advertised rate, the problem may lie with your provider or your equipment. Understanding which factor is causing your slowdown is the first step toward fixing it, or deciding whether a faster internet plan or a different provider makes more sense. An equipment test (also called a modem or gateway test) isolates the speed between your modem and spinalto casino your provider’s network, showing the raw speed entering your home before Wi-Fi is a factor. Even if you’re paying for 500 Mbps, an older device with a dated Wi-Fi adapter may only connect at 100–150 Mbps.
Next, add extra bandwidth for all your other devices that can’t stream video, like thermostats and smart speakers. According to data pulled from our How Much Speed Do You Need tool, the average respondent has six devices and is suggested an internet speed of 100Mbps. Our speed test provides unbiased results by pinging a speed test server located outside your internet provider’s network. Internet protocol address—the unique numerical code that identifies an internet-connected device and its geographic location. If you absolutely must run the test over a Wi-Fi connection, make sure you’re connected to the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band if your plan is faster than 200Mbps. You can also enter your zip code below to compare internet providers in your area—it may be time to upgrade.

Get faster—now!

How fast you go depends on how you’re connected to the internet. It affects things like how long it takes to download large files, update games, or show pages with lots of photos. However, keep in mind that the internet port on the router you choose needs to be faster than the plan you have.

Immedietely following the download test, the upload speed test will start. If your plan speed is high but device speeds are consistently low, the issue is almost certainly your equipment, not your service. Routers older than 3–4 years often lack support for Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, which offer faster and more reliable performance. The most effective Wi-Fi improvements come from router placement, hardware, and network configuration, in that order.