Internet Speed Test - How to Test Your Download and Upload Speeds
Internet Speed Test is a free online tool that lets you check your download and upload speeds. It's important to know what your speeds are, especially during peak hours and if you have a slow connection.
Keep in mind that speed tests are only approximates, as there are many factors that influence your speed. For instance, using a Wi-Fi network will result in different speeds than an ethernet connection.
Download Speed
The download speed of your Internet connection determines how quickly you can surf the web, stream video and play games online. Test results are reported in Mbps (megabits per second), with higher numbers representing faster speeds.
The tests also report your upload and ping speed, but these metrics are less important for most people. If your download speed is sluggish, check for running programs like video chat or photo-sharing apps that are hogging bandwidth. Rebooting your phone, computer and router may help as well.
You can also check your performance at different times of the day to see how your Internet speeds vary based on peak usage times, such as weekday evenings when many people are streaming their favorite movie or playing their favorite video game. Changing your router settings and moving closer to your WiFi signal can also improve your performance. Jitter and packet loss are additional metrics that affect network quality. These can cause intermittent connection problems, such as video buffering or audio dropouts.
Upload Speed
Most people only think of their internet speed when complaining about slowness, but it’s important to know your upload speed as well. The upload speed is the rate at which data can be sent from your computer device to other servers. This is especially important when it comes to things like video conferencing and online gaming.
Upload speeds are generally slower than download speeds because most of what we do online requires downloading, not sending. However, there are several things you can do to improve your upload speed such as changing your router settings or using a different network.
It’s normal for your speeds to fluctuate throughout the day depending on time of day, the number of devices connected and in use and other factors. Just make sure to run the test multiple times and record your results for comparison. If your speeds are consistently lower than what you’re paying for, it may be time to change providers.
Ping
The ping speed measures your connection’s reaction time. This is important for real-time activities like online gaming or video streaming. A slow ping speed will cause lag, or delay in the action.
Most internet speed tests also display your ping speed in addition to your download and upload speeds. This is because a fast ping speed can be indicative of a good quality connection.
A ping test can also help you determine the best time to run your speed test. The fastest internet speeds are typically achieved during non-peak hours, such as early mornings or weekdays.
Using an internet speed test is a great way to keep your internet provider accountable and ensure you are getting the performance that they advertise. However, a faulty router or wireless connection may sometimes slow your internet speed, so it’s important to run a test regularly. If you’re still experiencing slower-than-expected speeds, try some troubleshooting steps or contact your ISP or carrier for assistance.
Network Capabilities
An Internet Speed Test measures how quickly data travels to and from your device over your current network connection. Internet speeds are typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps). It is best to run the test multiple times to get a more comprehensive picture of your network's capabilities. You should also close any applications that may be consuming bandwidth and conduct tests at different times of the day to account for fluctuations in network performance.
Note that Internet speed tests rely on servers located around the world to assess your network's speed and latency. This can be misleading, especially if you live close to a large Internet service provider (ISP) server. It is best to use a testing server closest to your location for the most accurate results. Other factors that can affect Internet speed include:
