Measure your download, upload, ping, and jitter in under a minute — powered by M-Lab's global server network.
Test your connection speed below
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This test measures the connection to your current device, not the speed delivered directly to your gateway or modem.
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Browsing, email, and standard streaming. Best for 1–2 people.
HD streaming, video calls, and light gaming. Best for 2–4 people.
Multiple HD streams, gaming, and remote work. Best for 3–5 people.
4K streaming, competitive gaming, large file uploads, and smart home devices. Best for 5+ people or heavy usage.
Free speed tests for every major US internet provider, plus general connection tools.
Test your Xfinity / Comcast connection speed.
Start Speed Test →Check your Spectrum internet speed.
Start Speed Test →Measure your Verizon Fios or 5G speed.
Start Speed Test →Test your Cox internet connection.
Start Speed Test →Check your T-Mobile home internet speed.
Start Speed Test →Measure your CenturyLink DSL or fiber speed.
Start Speed Test →Test your Google Fiber gigabit connection.
Start Speed Test →General speed test for any provider.
Start Speed Test →Check your network quality and stability.
Start Speed Test →Find out your current connection speed.
Start Speed Test →Testing your internet speed takes less than a minute. Click the Start button above, and the tool will automatically measure your download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter — the four key metrics that determine your connection quality.
For the most accurate results: run the test on a device connected via Ethernet if possible, or as close to your router as you can get. Close other apps and browser tabs that might be using bandwidth in the background. Run 2–3 tests at different times of day, since speeds can vary during peak evening hours.
Once you have your results, compare them to the speeds listed on your plan. Most providers advertise “up to” speeds, so results about 20% below the advertised rate are normal. If you are consistently seeing 50% or more below your plan speed, it is worth investigating.
Download speed is how fast your internet connection can pull data from the internet to your device. It is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) and determines how quickly you can load web pages, stream video, download files, or update apps.
For most users, download speed is the most important factor in day-to-day online activities. Streaming HD video typically requires 5–25 Mbps per stream, while 4K streaming needs 25 Mbps or more. The higher your download speed, the more you can do simultaneously without buffering or slowdowns.
Upload speed measures how fast your device can send data to the internet. It is measured in Mbps or Gbps and becomes important any time you are sharing content — posting to social media, sending large email attachments, backing up files to the cloud, or joining video calls.
Most cable and DSL plans are asymmetric, meaning upload speeds are significantly lower than download speeds. For remote workers, content creators, or anyone on frequent video calls, this gap can be a real constraint. Fiber plans typically offer symmetric speeds (equal upload and download), making them a better fit for heavy two-way usage.
Ping is the time it takes for a small data packet to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). It is also called latency, lag, or delay. Lower ping means a more responsive connection.
For everyday browsing and streaming, ping has little noticeable impact. But for real-time applications such as online gaming, live video calls, and VoIP, ping is critical. Competitive gaming typically requires a ping under 50 ms; above 100 ms, lag becomes noticeable. If your ping is consistently high, it may indicate network congestion, a distant server, or a Wi-Fi issue rather than your plan’s speed.
Jitter is the variation in the time between data packets arriving at your device. Where ping measures round-trip time, jitter measures how consistent that timing is.
Low jitter means data arrives in a steady, predictable stream, resulting in smooth video calls, clean audio, and responsive gameplay. High jitter causes packets to arrive unevenly, resulting in choppy audio, stuttering video, and lag spikes in games. It is measured in milliseconds and is especially important if you work from home, stream live content, or play online games.
The right internet speed for your household depends on how many people are connected and what they are doing at the same time: 1–2 people with light use (browsing, email, occasional streaming) need about 50 Mbps. 2–4 people with regular streaming and video calls need 50–100 Mbps. 3–5 people with HD/4K streaming, gaming, and remote work need 100–200 Mbps. Households with 5+ people or heavy users with smart home devices need 200 Mbps or more.
As a rule of thumb, count the number of devices likely to be active at the same time, not just the people in your home. Smart TVs, tablets, security cameras, smart speakers, and game consoles all consume bandwidth.
Start by running a speed test to see how your current speeds compare to what your plan promises. If there is a significant gap, try these fixes in order: restart your modem and router — this resolves most temporary slowdowns. Switch from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection for a direct speed boost. Move your router to a central, elevated location away from walls and appliances. Reduce the number of devices actively using the network, and check for firmware updates on your router.
If none of these steps help and speeds remain consistently below your plan’s advertised rate, the problem may lie with your provider or your equipment. Routers older than 3–4 years often cannot support current Wi-Fi standards, and some providers throttle speeds during peak hours.
The most effective Wi-Fi improvements come from router placement, hardware, and network configuration, in that order. Place your router in a central, open location, elevated and away from metal objects, microwaves, and thick walls. Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band for devices close to the router and 2.4 GHz for devices farther away.
Upgrade to a mesh Wi-Fi system if your home is larger than 1,500 square feet or has multiple floors. Update your router’s firmware to the latest version, and limit background apps and devices that consume bandwidth when you are not actively using them.
An internet speed test measures your internet connection’s performance and provides results for download and upload speed, latency, and jitter. Most internet providers advertise the maximum speeds available, so it is not unusual to see a difference between your actual speeds and your plan’s top speed.