HOW TO TEST YOUR INTERNET SPEED
Let's get you the internet speeds you deserve. Here's how to test your internet connection:
PLUG IN
Plug your PC directly into your cable modem or router and disconnect or turn off the WiFi.
SHUT DOWN APPLICATIONS
Now, make sure no other applications are running on your computer.
CHECK FOR OTHER USERS
Next, make sure your PC is the only device using the internet connection.
CLICK "GO"
Now you're ready to start your speed test. Click "GO" to get started.
IMPROVE INTERNET SPEED
Here are some factors that could explain why your internet is slow. Check these issues to experience premium internet speed.
MISMATCHED MODEM
Is your modem able to meet the speed of your internet plan? Maybe not. It may be time to check on - or upgrade - your modem.
DEVICE DELAYS
Other devices in the vicinity can slow down your internet. Do a quick check of your surroundings and turn off any devices that are not in use.
WIFI SECURITY
Are people outside your home accessing your network? This can really slow you down. To ensure the fastest internet, set up a secure WiFi password.
WIFI TIPS
Testing your internet connection while connected to WiFi can deliver slower results. Try adjusting the channel on your wireless network. To do this, simply visit the Wireless provide's website or check their handbook for guidance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I test my internet speed?
A speed test is the best way to determine how fast your internet is. It only takes a minute, and it’s important to follow the instructions to get an accurate result. All your connected devices share the internet speed delivered to your home, so you need to disconnect other devices from the internet before you conduct the test. Also, sluggish background apps can interfere with the test, so close any open applications on your computer. To run the test, plug your computer directly into your router or modem and turn off the wireless connection on your computer to get the most accurate reading of your internet speed. Now you’re ready to conduct a test and discover your real-time upload, download, jitter, and ping speeds.
What is jitter on a speed test?
Jitter measures the variation in the response time. It technically means packet delay variation. A data packet is a segment of data that travels over a network path. You could compare it to a car driving on a highway. A website consists of a collection of data packets that travel from a server over a network to your computer. Jitter explains the time delay between the data packets over the network, and it’s measured in milliseconds (ms). A smaller number is better because it means the data packets are traveling over the network path in a consistent way. When that number is high, data packets arrive inconsistently. You could think of jitter like a traffic jam. The data packets can pile up, then arrive all at once, which can overload the device and cause data not to load.
What is ping in a speed test?
Ping measures how quickly your server responds to a request. Also called latency, it measures the round-trip time for a response. Like jitter, ping is measured in milliseconds (ms). The faster the ping, the more responsive your connection. A fast ping is especially important for gaming and other applications where timing is critical. As with jitter, a smaller number is better.
What are good internet speed test results?
A jitter speed less than 20 ms is optimal. If jitter exceeds 30 ms, it will impact your voice and video calls and online streaming and gaming. A ping speed less than 50 ms is very good. Generally, you’ll notice delays if the ping speed exceeds 150 ms.
Upload and download speeds are measured in Mbps, which stands for megabits per second. For these measurements, a higher number is better. You can think of Mbps like horsepower in a car. The more Mbps, the faster your internet speed. According to the FCC’s household broadband guide, advanced internet users need download speeds exceeding 25 Mbps and upload speeds exceeding 3 Mbp. However, if your household uses more than four devices at a time — and if anyone games, streams high-definition (HD) movies, or uses other high-demand applications — you’ll need much faster speeds to ensure maximum dependability and responsiveness.
Upload and download speeds are measured in Mbps, which stands for megabits per second. For these measurements, a higher number is better. You can think of Mbps like horsepower in a car. The more Mbps, the faster your internet speed. According to the FCC’s household broadband guide, advanced internet users need download speeds exceeding 25 Mbps and upload speeds exceeding 3 Mbp. However, if your household uses more than four devices at a time — and if anyone games, streams high-definition (HD) movies, or uses other high-demand applications — you’ll need much faster speeds to ensure maximum dependability and responsiveness.