Internet Speed Test

What Is Internet Speed and Why Does It Matter?

Internet speed refers to how quickly data travels between your device and the wider internet. It is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), which indicates how many millions of bits of data can be transferred each second. Your internet speed directly affects your online experience — from how fast web pages load and videos stream to how smooth your video calls and online gaming sessions are. Understanding your actual connection speed helps you determine whether you are getting the service you pay for from your internet provider and whether your connection is adequate for your needs.

Internet speed is typically described in terms of download speed and upload speed. Download speed measures how fast data travels from the internet to your device, which affects activities like streaming video, loading websites, and downloading files. Upload speed measures how fast data travels from your device to the internet, which is important for video calls, uploading files to cloud storage, and live streaming. Most residential internet plans offer significantly faster download speeds than upload speeds, as most consumer activities are download-heavy.

Understanding Latency, Ping, and Jitter

Beyond raw speed, latency (often called ping) is a critical metric that measures the time it takes for a small packet of data to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Low latency means your connection is responsive — important for online gaming, video conferencing, and real-time applications. A ping under 20ms is considered excellent, while anything above 100ms may cause noticeable delays in interactive applications.

Jitter measures the variation in latency over time. Even if your average ping is low, high jitter means your connection is inconsistent, which can cause audio glitches in voice calls, buffering during video streams, and lag spikes in online games. A stable connection should have jitter below 5ms. High jitter often indicates network congestion, Wi-Fi interference, or issues with your internet service provider infrastructure. If you experience high jitter, try connecting via Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, or contact your ISP for assistance.

Factors That Affect Your Internet Speed

Many factors can influence the speed you experience during a test and in daily use. Your internet plan sets the maximum theoretical speed, but actual performance depends on your router quality and placement, the number of devices sharing your connection, Wi-Fi interference from neighboring networks and household electronics, the distance between your device and the router, network congestion during peak usage hours, and the capabilities of the servers you are connecting to. For the most accurate speed test results, close other applications and browser tabs, connect via Ethernet cable if possible, and run the test at different times of day to get a representative picture of your connection performance.

How to Improve Your Internet Speed

If your speed test results are lower than expected, there are several steps you can take to improve your connection. First, restart your router and modem — this simple step resolves many temporary issues. Position your router in a central location away from walls and electronic devices that can cause interference. Update your router firmware to the latest version for optimal performance and security patches. Consider upgrading to a dual-band or tri-band router if you have many devices connected simultaneously. Use the 5GHz Wi-Fi band for faster speeds on nearby devices, and the 2.4GHz band for devices that are farther away. If possible, use an Ethernet cable for devices that need the most reliable connection, such as gaming consoles or desktop computers. Finally, if you consistently get speeds well below what you are paying for, contact your internet service provider to investigate potential line issues or discuss upgrading your plan.