How to Test Your Internet Speed and What the Results Mean
Why Measure Internet Speed
Your ISP sells you a 600 Mbps connection, but in practice you may receive much less. Measuring speed lets you verify you’re getting what you pay for, detect local network problems, know what activities you can do without issues, and have objective data to claim from your ISP.
The Three Most Used Tools
- Speedtest.net (Ookla): the de facto standard. Measures download, upload, and latency. Available as web, app for Windows/Mac/iOS/Android
- Fast.com (Netflix): only measures download speed. Simpler. Uses Netflix servers to measure real streaming speed
- Google Speed Test: search ‘speed test’ in Google and an integrated test appears without leaving the search
What the Results Mean
- Download: speed at which you receive data. Matters for: streaming, downloading files, web browsing, video calls
- Upload: speed at which you send data. Matters for: video calls (you need good upload for others to see you well), uploading to cloud, live streaming
- Latency (Ping): time in ms for data to travel to server and back. Matters most for: online gaming (want <20ms), video calls
Jitter (latency variation) appears in some tools. Low jitter (<5ms) indicates a stable connection. High jitter causes stuttering in video calls and variable lag in games.
Reference Speeds for 2026
- 4K Netflix streaming: 25 Mbps download
- HD video call (Zoom, Teams): 3-5 Mbps upload and download
- Online gaming: 10 Mbps download, <30ms latency β speed matters less than latency
- Working from home with multiple devices: 100 Mbps download recommended
- Downloading large games (100 GB): at 100 Mbps takes ~2.5h, at 500 Mbps about 30 minutes
Why Tests Show Less Than Contracted
- WiFi vs cable: by cable you’ll always get speeds closer to the maximum. WiFi may show a 20-50% reduction
- Time of day: during peak hours (8-11 PM) the network is more loaded
- Old router: a 2015 router limits speed even if fiber arrives perfectly
- PC NIC: old motherboards have 100 Mbps network cards that limit speed even if the plan is 1 Gbps
How many times should I repeat the test for reliable results?
Run 3-5 measurements at different times of day and calculate the average. A single measurement can be atypical. Also measure by cable and WiFi separately to identify if the issue is the connection or local network.
What latency is good for gaming?
<20ms is excellent, 20-50ms is good, 50-100ms is acceptable for most games. >100ms starts to be noticeable in shooters and competitive games.
Can I claim compensation from my ISP if the test shows less than contracted?
In most countries, regulations require that real speed be at least a certain percentage of the contracted minimum. Make several tests and contact your ISP’s customer service with the data.
Conclusion
To measure real speed: use Speedtest.net by cable and WiFi and compare. If cable speed is good but WiFi is not, the problem is the local network. If both are low, contact your ISP.
