How to Test and Understand Your Internet Speed
A speed test takes 60 seconds and tells you exactly what your connection can handle. Here is how to test properly and what the results mean.
How to Get Accurate Results
Run our Internet Speed Test to check your current speeds. For accurate results, close other browser tabs and applications, pause any active downloads or streaming, and run the test twice — once over Wi-Fi and once plugged directly into the router with an Ethernet cable. The difference between wired and wireless results tells you whether a slow connection is your ISP or your Wi-Fi.
What the Numbers Mean
| Activity | Minimum Speed | Comfortable Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Web browsing and email | 1 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| HD streaming (1080p) | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Video calls (Zoom, Teams) | 3 Mbps up and down | 10 Mbps up and down |
| Online gaming | 3 Mbps / ping under 50ms | 15 Mbps / ping under 20ms |
| Multiple simultaneous users | 25 Mbps total | 100 Mbps total |
| Working from home (large files) | 50 Mbps upload | 100 Mbps upload |
My Speed Is Lower Than My Plan — Why?
Test via Ethernet first. If wired speed matches your plan but Wi-Fi is slower, the problem is in your wireless setup — try changing the channel or moving closer to the router. If wired speed is also below your plan, contact your ISP or check signal levels on your modem at 192.168.100.1. Consistently low speeds at the ISP level usually indicate a line problem or modem issue that needs a technician visit.