How to check your internet speed: Everything you need to know

What is a good internet speed?

A good internet speed is generally considered to be at least 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads, based on the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s current broadband speed benchmark. These figures reflect the growing demands of our increasingly digital economy and serve as a useful starting point for assessing your needs.

While the FCC recommendations are a good benchmark, determining how much internet speed you need depends on a few key factors:

• Primary activities: Internet speed for gaming and video streaming should generally be faster.
• Upload requirements: Streamers and large organizations need more speed for fast uploads.
• Number of devices connected to the internet: If you have more than one device connecting to the internet, you need faster internet speeds to ensure a smooth experience.

While download and upload speeds are the most visible measures, other factors also determine what a good internet speed looks like in practice. Latency (how long it takes for your device to send and receive data) and Wi-Fi speed (which can be affected by your router or any extenders) both play a significant role in your overall internet performance. In general, the higher your download and upload speeds, the better your online experience will be.

What is an internet speed test?

An internet speed test is a real-time measurement of your internet connection’s speeds and general status. If you’re wondering why your internet is slowing down, speed tests are a good way to confirm whether your internet is functioning as intended.

When you run an internet speed test, several factors are assessed, including:

• Download speed. A higher download speed allows for faster video streaming and smoother webpage loading.
• Upload speed. A higher upload speed allows you to maintain smooth connections during video calls and quickly upload files.
• Ping. A higher ping rate results in a more noticeable lag.
• Packet loss. Low packet loss rates improve the performance of your online activities, such as gaming.
• Bandwidth throttling. Bandwidth throttling occurs when your ISP intentionally slows your connection, which can result in reduced speeds.
• Jitter. A lower jitter rate results in a more stable connection, reducing interruptions during video calls and online gaming.

How to test your internet speed

Conducting an internet speed test is simple because all you need is a device connected to the internet. Follow these steps to test your internet speed:

1. 1.Choose a reliable speed test tool (e.g., Speedtest.net).
2. 2.Open the speed test website or app.
3. 3.Start the test and wait for the results.
4. 4.Interpret the results (download speed, upload speed, ping).

Some internet speed tests can check for specific aspects like download speeds over time (a download speed test) or the reliability of your Wi-Fi connection (a Wi-Fi speed test). If you’re working with your internet provider, it may also run other tests to identify factors affecting your internet speed.

How to check your internet speed accurately

To improve the accuracy of your speed test, consider the following tips:

• Conduct multiple tests to ensure reliable results.
• Test at different times of the day.
• Consider using a wired connection for more stable and accurate measurements.
• If you’re using Wi-Fi, move your router to a more accessible area.
• Ensure that no other processes (like streaming or downloads) are running at the same time you’re conducting your speed test.
• Conduct a speed test on your other devices that connect to the internet.

Note: Some factors, like where you’re located and your area’s capabilities to support more advanced types of internet, can also play a role in your overall internet speed. This is why a speed test can vary depending on where you are. Download speeds, in particular, can differ depending on your browsing habits. Meanwhile, different regions may have local regulations or network policies that limit internet traffic, resulting in throttled download speeds.

Understanding the internet speed results

When you run an internet speed test, make sure to evaluate these three key metrics:

• Download speed: Ideally around 100 Mbps or higher if you’re doing data-intensive activities like online gaming.
• Upload speed: Ideally around 20 Mbps. Higher speeds are preferred for activities like file uploading or live video streaming on streaming sites like Twitch.
• Ping: Ideally around 10 to 20 milliseconds, though rates until 50 ms are acceptable for regular internet use.

Aside from your overall usage and online habits, one of the most significant factors affecting your internet speed results is your plan with your internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP controls key aspects of your internet experience, including the likelihood that you’ll experience network congestion and the type of internet connection you’ll use.

Conducting an internet speed test can verify whether your internet services are working as advertised by your internet provider. If they aren’t, the results can help internet providers diagnose and fix what’s wrong with your internet connection.

How to improve your internet speed

If your internet speed test results indicate a slow connection, here’s what you can do to improve your internet speed:

Investigate your router

Your router allows your devices to connect to the internet. If you experience slow or inconsistent internet speeds, your router may be the culprit. To ensure your router is working properly, follow these tips:

• Power cycle and reboot your router, or turn it off and on again.
• Move your router to another area where it can be closer to your devices.
• Ensure your router firmware is up to date.
• Check for any potential interference, like unsecured wires.
• Replace the router if it’s an old model.

In most cases, restarting your router is enough to fix common internet speed issues. Under no circumstances should you attempt to open the router to fiddle with its components. Doing so could violate the terms of use you signed with your ISP.

Upgrade your internet plan

If you’re looking to increase your Wi-Fi bandwidth, check whether your internet provider offers an upgraded internet plan with faster download and upload speeds. You can also check if your plan speeds have changed over time — updates to your plan may have occurred.

Conduct troubleshooting on your devices

Sometimes, the issue may not be with your internet connection but with how your devices connect to it. First, check your internet connection to confirm whether the problem is with your connection or your device specifically. Like your router, simply rebooting your devices can be enough to fix these problems, but you can also try the following steps:

• Check your Wi-Fi signal strength if you’re using internet range extenders.
• Check your internet browsing habits to see if they align with peak hours for internet use in your area.
• Run troubleshooters on your PC or Mac.
• Use a wired connection to your PC if your Wi-Fi connection is unstable.
• Run an antivirus scan on your computer.

Most devices can run a troubleshooter that diagnoses what’s wrong with your internet connection and gives recommendations on how to fix it. You can follow these troubleshooters and let them run their fixes. If they don’t work, you can bring your device to a technician.

Contact your ISP

If none of the above approaches work, contact your ISP and file a customer support ticket. Because they have more oversight on the status of your internet connection, they can do more effective and long-term fixes to any internet connection issues you encounter.

Does a VPN affect internet speed test results?

Using a VPN will affect your internet speed test results. When you run a speed test with a VPN active, your traffic is routed through an additional server before reaching its destination, which adds extra steps to the process and increases latency. The test is essentially measuring the speed between your device and the VPN server, not your actual connection to the internet, which means results will differ from tests run without a VPN. That said, a VPN shouldn’t significantly slow down your internet connection if your settings are properly configured.

Several VPN settings can directly impact your speeds during testing:

• Server location. Connecting to a VPN server far from your physical location increases the distance your data travels, resulting in higher ping and slower speeds. Always connect to the nearest available server for the best performance.
• VPN protocol. Older protocols like OpenVPN can be slower due to heavier encryption overhead. Switching to a modern protocol like NordLynx or WireGuard significantly improves speed while maintaining strong security.
• Server load. Connecting to an overcrowded VPN server reduces available bandwidth. If speeds are slow, try switching to a less busy server in the same location.
• Encryption strength. Higher encryption levels add processing overhead, which can slow speeds on older devices. If speed is a priority and security requirements allow, consider adjusting your encryption settings.

If you need accurate baseline results, run a VPN speed test both with and without your VPN active to compare the difference and identify whether your settings need adjusting.