How to Check Your Internet Speed

Introduction

Does your internet feel slow? Is Netflix loading in low quality? Are video calls choppy? Before you call your internet provider, it's wise to measure your speed with a reliable speed test. This guide explains what you're measuring, how to get accurate results, and what you can do to improve your speed. You can use our speed test to measure your connection.

What Does a Speed Test Measure?

A speed test measures four main parameters:

• Download speed (Mbps) — How fast you can fetch data from the internet. This is the most important number for streaming, downloading and general browsing.
• Upload speed (Mbps) — How fast you send data. Important for video calls, cloud backup and file uploads.
• Ping / Latency (ms) — The time it takes for a small data packet to reach the server and return. Low ping is important for gaming and real-time communication.
• Jitter (ms) — The variation in ping over time. High jitter causes unstable quality on VoIP and video calls.

How to Get Accurate Test Results

For representative numbers, follow these steps:

1. Connect your PC or Mac directly to the router with a cable — don't use Wi-Fi for the most accurate test
2. Close other programs and tabs that use the internet (streaming, downloads, updates)
3. Disconnect other devices from the network, or ensure they're not active
4. Run the test several times at different times — speed varies with network load
5. Restart the router and wait 2–3 minutes before testing if you've had issues

Understanding Your Results

Speed is usually given in Mbps (megabits per second). Note that this is not the same as MB/s (megabytes per second) — 100 Mbps equals about 12.5 MB/s. Your plan is likely advertised in Mbps. Compare your test result with what you pay for — you typically get 70–90% of the advertised speed under normal conditions.

Ping under 50 ms is excellent for gaming and video calls. 50–100 ms is good. Over 150 ms can cause noticeable delay. Jitter should ideally be under 30 ms for stable voice and video.

What Is Good Internet Speed?

Needs vary by use. Here's a rough overview:

Factors That Affect Speed

• Router and Wi-Fi — Older routers and poor Wi-Fi coverage limit speed. Router placement and walls affect the signal.
• ISP and plan — You can't get more than your plan allows. Some providers "oversell" capacity during peak hours.
• Time of day — Evening and weekend hours often have higher load and lower speed.
• Distance to exchange — With copper/DSL, distance to the telephone exchange affects speed. Fiber is less affected.
• Number of devices — Multiple users streaming or downloading share the bandwidth.

How to Improve Your Internet Speed

1. Use a cable instead of Wi-Fi when possible — especially for desktop PCs
2. Place the router centrally, avoid cabinets and metal that block the signal
3. Upgrade the router if it's older than 3–5 years — newer standards (Wi-Fi 6) give better performance
4. Use the 5 GHz band for speed (2.4 GHz has longer range but lower speed)
5. Restart the router regularly — memory can fill up over time
6. Check that no background programs are downloading or streaming
7. Update the router with the latest firmware
8. Consider mesh Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi extenders for larger homes
9. Compare with neighbors — if they have the same issue, it may be the ISP or area
10. Switch DNS server (e.g. 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8) — rarely affects speed, but can improve experience

Fiber vs DSL vs Mobile Broadband

Fiber is generally the most stable choice — symmetric speed, low ping and little affected by distance. DSL/copper (ADSL, VDSL) depends on distance to the exchange; speed drops the farther you are. Mobile broadband (4G/5G) is flexible and good for vacation homes, but speed varies with signal strength and network load.

For home office and streaming, fiber is recommended where available. Mobile broadband can be sufficient for lighter use, but ping is often higher — which affects gaming and video calls.

Complaining to Your Internet Provider

If your speed is consistently well below what you pay for, you should document and complain:

1. Run speed tests over several days, at different times. Note time, result and whether you used cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Restart the router and test again — providers often ask you to do this first.
3. Call customer service and present your documentation. Ask for line troubleshooting.
4. If the problem isn't resolved, you can escalate or consider switching providers. Consumer protection agencies often have guidance on telecom complaints.