How to Test Your Internet Speed Accurately
Quick answer
Connect with a cable if you can, pause downloads and streaming on every device, close other tabs, then run the test two or three times at different times of day. Compare the typical result — not the best one — with your plan.
A speed test measures the path between your device and a test server at one moment. Anything else using that path — Wi-Fi interference, a backup running on a laptop, a TV streaming in another room — takes a share and lowers the result. These steps remove the noise so the number reflects your connection.
Step-by-step
- Use a cable for the first test. Plug a laptop or PC straight into the router. This shows what your line can really do.
- Pause other traffic. Stop streaming, game downloads, cloud backups and system updates on every device in the home.
- Close other tabs and apps on the device you're testing with, especially anything that syncs files.
- Run the test. Open the speed test and let it finish — download, upload, ping and the bufferbloat grade.
- Repeat two or three times and note the typical result.
- Test again on Wi-Fi from where you usually sit, to see how much the wireless connection costs you.
What the numbers mean
| Result | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Download (Mbps) | How fast data reaches you — streaming, web pages, downloads. |
| Upload (Mbps) | How fast you send data — video calls, backups, posting videos. |
| Ping (ms) | How long a round trip to the server takes. Lower is better for games and calls. |
| Jitter (ms) | How much ping varies. Low jitter means steady calls and games. |
| Loaded ping ↓ / ↑ | Ping while downloading or uploading. Big increases mean lag when the line is busy. |
| Bufferbloat grade | A–F summary of that increase. A or B is what you want. |
Download gets the headlines, but the other numbers often explain why a connection feels slow. See what is ping, what is jitter and what is bufferbloat.
Testing one thing at a time
The main test measures everything at once. When you want to focus, use the dedicated tools: the download speed test, the upload speed test, the ping test for a 30-second latency series, and the Wi-Fi speed test for checking rooms around the house.
Why results vary
Each test talks to a particular server, and network conditions change from minute to minute. Evenings are often slower because the whole neighbourhood is online. Different speed tests also use different servers and methods — we explain this in why speed tests give different results.
Comparing with your plan
Plans are usually sold as "up to" a speed. On a cable, it's normal to get 80–95 % of the advertised download speed; on Wi-Fi, less. In the test settings you can enter your plan speed, and the result will show what percentage you're getting.
Testing on a phone?
Stand near the router for the first test. Phones vary a lot in Wi-Fi capability, so a newer phone may show a much higher result than an older one on the same network.
If the result is low
If even a cable test is well below your plan, restart your router and modem, test again, and then contact your provider with your results. If only Wi-Fi is slow, see how to improve Wi-Fi speed.
Mistakes to avoid
- Testing on a VPN — it measures the VPN's route, not your connection.
- Testing far from the router and blaming the provider — that's a Wi-Fi result.
- Keeping only the best result — the typical one is more honest.
- Testing while a game or system update downloads in the background.
- Comparing different tests as if they were the same — each uses its own servers and method.
Keep a record
One test is a snapshot; a handful over a few days is evidence. Your results on this site are saved in your browser's history, so you can see how your connection changes between mornings and evenings, or before and after a change like moving the router. If you need to show someone a result, use the share button — it creates a link with the numbers and the server that measured them.