A dead Wi-Fi connection has a way of turning a normal day into a minor crisis. But what if you could sidestep the panic entirely?

Our data shows that regular maintenance checks catch small issues long before they become full-blown emergencies.

People who take speed tests routinely tend to be much happier with their internet service than people who test only to fix slow internet or diagnose a specific problem. That’s according to figures from a 2026 survey of about 7,500 users who had just run a speed test on HighSpeedInternet.com.

What we learned about speed test habits

Our survey asked about the goals and satisfaction levels of people who had just run speed tests, and it collected anonymous information about the devices they were using. Here’s what we learned:

The checkup group is the happiest group

About 35% of everyone we surveyed said they were just checking their Wi-Fi or speed performance—no problem, no symptom, just a routine look under the hood. Nearly 60% of that group said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their internet service, and only 14% were unsatisfied or worse.

Compare that to the roughly 25% of respondents who tested because their internet “felt slow.” That’s a symptom-driven test—the online equivalent of going to the doctor because something hurts. Only 32% of that group came back satisfied, and a full third were unsatisfied or extremely unsatisfied with their internet service.

Most people run the test on their phones

About twice as many people tested on mobile devices rather than desktop or laptop computers, and that’s true whether they were just running a checkup, felt like things were slow, or were troubleshooting a specific problem.

If you’re testing on your phone, we built an app for you! We get that it’s much easier to move around your house with your phone than to lug an Ethernet cable from room to room.

Just keep in mind that your phone can’t give you completely accurate data about your internet connection. If it’s defaulting to a mobile network, it won’t tell you anything useful at all. But even if you’re on your home network’s Wi-Fi, hiccups like obstruction and congestion from other devices can tank your test results in a hurry.

If you’re like the 15.8% of people who told us they were using our speed test as a way to check up on their internet providers, make sure you wire in via Ethernet.

What a normal speed test result looks like (and when you should worry)

A speed test shows how well your internet connection is performing. In ideal conditions, the results should be within 80% of the speed you pay for, but not everyone has that info on hand. If you don’t know, ask the person who pays the bills to check the account.

For example, a wired speed test run on a 940Mbps plan can range between 870 and 960Mbps, depending on the connections between the remote server and a wired device.

Speed test results also show whether or not your internet connection is functional at a minimal level. Here are the minimums to look for:

• Download speed: At least 25Mbps
• Upload speed: At least 5Mbps
• Ping: Less than 50 ms
• Jitter: Less than 20 ms
• Buffering errors: Less than 0.5%

Keep in mind that those speeds are benchmarks for a functional connection. You need those minimum speeds for basic things like email and social networking, whether you’re on Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and regardless of which device you’re using to test.

Still, if your test results are 25 out of 1,000Mbps, then you definitely have an internet connection problem.

What to expect in less-than-ideal conditions

When you’re testing speeds via Wi-Fi, expect roughly 10% to 30% lower speeds than on Ethernet when you’re close to the router. Additionally, speeds can decline significantly as you move away from the router.

For example, a Wi-Fi 6 device may see around 850Mbps on the speed test using the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band and a 940Mbps connection. That same device might only get 250Mbps or less if you walked across the street.

You’ll lose speed over Wi-Fi and when you move far away from your router, whether you’re using our mobile app or testing from a browser, and on either your phone or laptop.

If your Wi-Fi speed test results at close range come back significantly worse than that 30% target, it’s time to start troubleshooting.

My take: Test often, stay satisfied

We’ve all run speed tests in emergency situations, but our data show that people who test for preventive maintenance are most likely to be satisfied with their internet service. That’s because they know how their systems perform day to day, they see minor problems before they turn into emergencies, and they only pay for what they need.

That doesn’t mean that testing will stop you from switching when there’s a better deal on the table. You absolutely should switch providers if you can pay less or get better Wi-Fi equipment without paying extra.

Instead, testing regularly gives you insight system-wide. When you see problems coming, you can fix them early.

Internet speeds across the U.S. are faster in 2026 than they were in 2025, with an increase of 5.26%.

The overall increase was modest, but differences across states were stark. In Delaware, for example, you can download a two-hour 4K movie in less than 10 minutes at median speeds. But in Alaska, that same movie download takes more than 25 minutes at median speeds.

Some states posted year-over-year speed gains nearly ten times larger than the national average. In West Virginia, where speeds improved by more than 50%, this boost means you could download a Call of Duty update about 90 minutes faster in 2026 compared to 2025, assuming you were operating at median speeds in both years.

It’s nice to get time back rather than watching a progress bar, but faster download speeds also mean more bandwidth for connected devices, easier file management in the cloud, and better opportunities for telehealth, online learning, and remote work.

This report will cover the states with the fastest and slowest median download speeds, explain why median and mathematical average scores differ, and list the most-improved states of 2026. Scroll to the bottom for complete state-by-state data.

Internet speeds across America in 2026

The median download speed in the U.S. is up by a little more than 5% compared to last year, and the median speed in 38 states is higher than it was in 2025. However, median recorded speeds were slower in 13 states.

The mixed results make sense in light of the growth of 5G fixed wireless home internet. While faster than DSL and satellite (and fast enough for streaming and browsing), fixed wireless speeds are often slower than cable or fiber internet.

Even as 5G home internet has become more competitive, fiber internet now reaches more than 60% of homes, and cable internet providers (like Spectrum) are rolling out DOCSIS 4.0 upgrades market by market, which means faster upload and download speeds in every upgraded neighborhood.

In concert with these upgrades, plan prices are going down and advertised speeds are going up, as detailed in our 2026 Best Value Internet Provider report.

States with the fastest internet speeds

Delaware is the reigning speed champion for the second year running, with New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Connecticut close on its heels. Each of the top ten states clocked speeds faster than 150Mbps, more than 1.5X the FCC’s official broadband speed designation.

Each of these states has near-universal access to 100Mbps service, according to FCC data,  and each is well-served by fully wired internet from major fiber providers such as Verizon Fios, large cable internet providers such as Xfinity, and small municipal co-ops and telephone companies such as EPB (Chattanooga’s municipal utility).

It means that most people logging onto the internet in these states have plenty of speed for file downloads, streaming in high-definition on multiple devices, and watching online lectures or work presentations.

Why mathematically average speeds outpace median speeds

Nationwide, average (mean) speeds are consistently higher than median speeds, skewed by a small number of ultra-fast connections. These outliers inflate the averages. While each of the top ten states had median speeds between 150Mbps and 200Mbps, they all had average speeds of faster than 200Mbps. Delaware again topped the list, leading at 250Mbps.

It’s a reminder that internet speed is specific to your connection, your home network equipment, your device, and even the time of day. Your neighbor with a 5Gbps fiber internet connection, a Wi-Fi 7 router, and an M5-powered MacBook Pro is always going to get faster speed test results than your neighbor limping along on a Wi-Fi 5 router and a Galaxy S22 on 300Mbps fiber internet.

Top 10 states with the fastest internet speeds

Here’s a look at our top 10 winners and how their median and average speeds compare.

States with the biggest year-over-year speed gains

The two states with the biggest speed improvements year over year were West Virginia, up by 51.64%, and Alaska, up by 42.81%.

West Virginia’s median download speed increased to 129.97Mbps from 85.71Mbps. This speed makes it possible to restore a full 1TB cloud backup in about 17 hours, rather than the nearly 26 hours it would have taken the year before.

Alaska’s median speeds increased from around 50Mbps to nearly 75Mbps. That means downloading a 128GB photo library that used to take an Alaskan household about five and a half hours now takes less than four hours—a savings of an hour and 40 minutes. Internet service in America’s Last Frontier still isn’t fast, but it’s catching up.

While each of these states has been allocated funding as part of the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, no funded projects have yet been completed in any of our most-improved states.

Top 10 states with the biggest speed improvements in 2026

Here’s a look at states where internet speeds improved most over the last 12 months:

States with the slowest internet speeds

In 2026, the nation’s slowest internet speeds are concentrated in the rural West and Midwest, reflecting decades of infrastructure disparity. Because it is both expensive and less profitable to serve sparsely populated areas, progress is a persistent challenge.

However, help is on the way: Half of the states with the worst rankings also rank in the top 10 for per-capita BEAD funding. Alaska tops the list with roughly $1,387 per resident, followed by significant investments in Wyoming ($603) and Montana ($580). While BEAD and its predecessor, the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), help subsidize these reach-out efforts, high connection costs often leave remote communities dependent on slower satellite or fixed wireless options.

Not everyone in these states has slow speeds, though. More heavily populated areas within these states have better infrastructure and more provider choice, and therefore faster internet speeds. The results are reflected in the significant difference between median and mathematically average speeds in each state.

Top 10 states with the slowest internet speeds 2026

Here’s our comprehensive list of the worst states for internet speed, highlighting the difference between median and average download speeds in the slowest states.

Full-speed ranking of all 50 US states (and DC) in 2026

The takeaway: Don’t wait for infrastructure; improve your equipment

The median speeds we discuss in this report help benchmark each state’s progress in closing the digital divide, but the disparity between median and average (mean) speeds makes it clear that some customers enjoy much faster speeds than others.

The first step in improving your own speeds is to run a wired speed test so you know your baseline. Then, evaluate your Wi-Fi equipment and consider upgrading because a better router or gateway means better performance on compatible devices. Finally, enter your zip code into an internet provider lookup tool to make sure you know all your options for plans and providers in your area.

There’s not much you can do about local infrastructure or the slow rollout of BEAD, but you can make changes to your home network that improve your speed test results and your quality of life.

FAQ about internet speeds in 2026

What is a median speed?

The median speed represents the middle value of all the speed test results, using only the fastest speed for any given IP address. Unlike an average (mean), the median is not skewed by a small number of extremely fast or slow results, making it a better indicator of the typical user experience.

Read disclaimers.

Symmetrical internet is the great equalizer. On a symmetrical internet plan, your upload speeds are just as fast as your download speeds.

Most internet connections have much faster download speeds than upload speeds. Let’s say your cable internet plan gives you 100Mbps download speeds. In that case, your upload speeds would be just 10Mbps—or even less.

A symmetrical plan gives you a big upload boost. So if your download speeds are 100Mbps, your upload speeds are also 100Mbps.

Wait, what are upload and download speeds again?

Download speeds measure how long it takes to pull stuff from the internet. Whether you’re opening an email, streaming a movie on Netflix, or updating your favorite video game, you’re downloading content—it’s what we spend most of our time doing online.

Upload speeds measure how long it takes to send stuff to the internet. It means sending an email, posting to social media, or making a video call with a coworker. Uploading also includes bigger undertakings like livestreaming and playing around in the metaverse, which require a lot more bandwidth.

Symmetrical internet sounds awesome. So how can I get it?

You can get symmetrical speeds with fiber internet, which is mostly available in urban areas but also some rural communities.

Fiber’s fast speeds and symmetrical uploads make it the most efficient and reliable internet type, giving you a crucial leg up for remote work and online entertainment.

Want to know more? Here’s a quick breakdown of what symmetrical internet is, why it’s good, and how to get it.

Best symmetrical internet plans

The best symmetrical internet plans come from fiber internet providers—which makes sense, considering that fiber is the only way you can get symmetrical internet.

These plans give you incredibly fast upload speeds, ensuring that you have all the bandwidth you could ever want to attend Zoom meetings, post content online, and host livestreams. The plans will also make it possible for you to share your Wi-Fi with a large number of other users without worries over a slow connection or long buffering times.

Why is symmetrical internet important?

Symmetrical internet is important because it gives you the fastest speeds possible to do upload-heavy tasks.

It’s also important because it gives you a huge amount of upload bandwidth to support a large number of users who are all sharing the same Wi-Fi connection. If you live with a lot of roommates or family members, a symmetrical connection ensures fast speeds and top performance even when a bunch of people are streaming, gaming, and Zooming on multiple devices at the same time.

Activities that benefit from symmetrical internet:

• Livestreaming
• Posting frequently to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube
• Frequently attending Zoom or other video conference meetings
• VR and AR gaming and activities

Why does fiber internet have symmetrical speeds?

Fiber has symmetrical speeds because it has a much larger capacity to deliver data compared to other internet types.

Fiber provides a connection using bundled strands of fiber-optic cable. Photon signals bounce through the cables at the speed of light (or at least something close), carrying vast amounts of data. Fiber-optic cable is often newer than the copper wiring of cable and DSL internet, and it isn’t susceptible to electromagnetic interference, adding to its capabilities.

Fiber is the only type of internet that gives you symmetrical speeds right now. Cable internet may catch up in a few years as tech standards evolve, but right now, fiber is really the way to go.

Do you need symmetrical internet speeds?

Most people don’t need symmetrical internet speeds. But they’re nice to have, and those speeds will especially make your life a lot easier if you have any job or passion that requires extensive time on the internet.

Jobs that benefit from symmetrical internet:

• Social media influencer
• Content creator
• Professional gamer
• Filmmaker who frequently posts content online

Of course, the majority of people in the United States don’t have symmetrical internet speeds and many are doing just fine.¹ Most of what we do online involves downloading data rather than uploading it, so internet providers haven’t felt a great demand to up their uploads—but times may be changing.

There’s a rising demand for fast uploads, thanks to the drastic rise of remote working, increasingly ubiquitous internet connectivity, and a greater push for video content on social media (shoutouts to Instagram Reels and TikTok). And while you don’t need speedy uploads, you greatly benefit from having them.

Not sure if you have fast uploads?

Take our speed test to see what kind of internet firepower you get at your house.

Long story short—Get fiber internet for symmetrical speeds (and for lots of other great reasons too)

Fiber internet is the only internet that gets you symmetrical speeds. So if you want symmetrical internet, then get a fiber plan if it’s available in your area.

But also, it just so happens that fiber is the best type of internet you can get, and not just because of the upload speeds. Compared to cable or DSL internet, fiber gives you an incredibly fast and reliable connection, packs in more Mbps for your dollar, and often comes with extra perks like free equipment and unlimited data.

If you can get fiber internet, we say go for it.

FAQ about symmetrical internet

Additional resources

• What Is a Good Download and Upload Speed? 
• Improve Your Wi-Fi Speed in 10 Simple Steps
• How Much Speed Do I Need for Online Gaming? 
• Will Paying for Faster Internet Improve My Wi-Fi Speed?

Disclaimers

The terms “bandwidth” and “latency” describe an amount. Bandwidth is the amount of data you can send and receive in one second. Latency is the amount of time used by data to reach its destination and come back.

That’s the simplified version of their differences, but we’ll dive deeper into the two terms so you can better troubleshoot connection issues and get the most out of your internet service.

Bandwidth vs. latency: A deeper explanation

What is bandwidth?

Here’s the quick answer: Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data you can transfer between two points on a network (such as the internet).

Picture a faucet and a sink. Your bandwidth is the amount of water pouring down into your sink. Crank down on the faucet, and you get a trickle of bandwidth—you grow a head full of gray hair waiting for the sink to fill. Open the faucet all the way, and the sink fills so fast the water spills onto the floor.

As you can see, we perceive bandwidth as “speed.” The more megabits we can push through a connection in a second, the faster a file downloads or a page loads. The sink fills more quickly with the faucet wide open than when it is barely open.

Theoretically, a single cable or fiber internet connection to a home—your data faucet—supports a 10,000Mbps (10Gbps) bandwidth. But your internet provider controls that bandwidth, as does the modem and fiber optical network terminal (ONT). To get more bandwidth, you’ll want to upgrade to a “faster” plan.

What is latency?

Here’s the quick answer: Latency is the amount of time data takes to reach a remote server and return to you.

For latency, we’ll toss out the faucet analogy and imagine a road with toll booths instead. The duration of your trip squarely depends on the distance, the number of booths you must pass through, and the congestion you face along the way.

For example, there are 10 “toll booths” along the virtual road between Google and us one way, half of which are within our internet provider’s internal network. The trip is another 10 hops (toll booths) back to our device when Google replies. The completed trip to Google and back takes at least 24 milliseconds.

10 hops out + 10 hops back = 24 milliseconds. This is good latency.

Now, let’s look at satellite internet. On a good day, your data takes around 120 milliseconds to reach a satellite in space and then another 120 milliseconds to reach Google’s server here on Earth. Add another 240 milliseconds to receive Google’s response.

120 milliseconds out to space + 120 milliseconds back to Earth (Google) + 120 milliseconds out to space + 120 milliseconds back to Earth (you) = 480 milliseconds. This is bad latency.

With those two examples in mind, you’ll see a delayed action on your screen if you press a game controller button and your latency is 480 milliseconds. That’s just unplayable. But your gameplay is near flawless if the latency is only 28 milliseconds.

Latency isn’t just a gaming issue. It applies to everything you do online. Web browsers send requests to website servers every time you load a page, and the server uploads the page to your browser cache. The higher the latency, the less responsive the webpage feels.

How bandwidth and latency affect you

Here are a few scenarios to show how bandwidth and latency affect you daily.

Gaming

• Bandwidth: Low impact
• Latency: High impact

You don’t need a lot of bandwidth to play games online. We recommend 5Mbps or more per device for downloads and 3Mbps for uploads. If you have five people playing online simultaneously, your combined download bandwidth is around 25Mbps. However, depending on the service, you need more bandwidth to stream cloud-based games to each device—up to 25Mbps each.

Latency is vital to a good experience when you play games online—especially in fast-paced games like Fortnite and Overwatch 2. High latency manifests as lag and can cause significant delays between your input and your character’s on-screen action. In other words, you could already be dead while you’re still trying to get off a shot, but you won’t know it until your connection catches up.

Streaming

• Bandwidth: Medium impact
• Latency: Medium impact

The bandwidth you need depends on the content’s resolution and the number of devices streaming the content simultaneously. A single 4K stream averages around 25Mbps, so four devices streaming a 4K movie need at least 100Mbps of bandwidth. Plus, you’ll need extra bandwidth for all your other devices that are not streaming video.

Low bandwidth causes buffering—when the video or audio player pauses playback and waits to receive more pieces of the file before it can resume. You may also experience pixelation, as the service adjusts the stream to compensate for the narrow bandwidth (aka slow download speed).

Latency rears its head during livestreams. Your actions captured on camera appear delayed to your viewers. Latency can result from an incorrect bitrate, a longer-than-usual route to the host server, and so on.

Video chat

• Bandwidth: High impact
• Latency: High impact

Video chatting, like FaceTime or Skype, can be negatively impacted by low bandwidth and high latency. Low bandwidth affects the quality of your chat, making things hard to see. Latency causes sync issues and freezing.

Browsing

• Bandwidth: High impact
• Latency: High impact

You don’t need a lot of bandwidth to browse the internet. Web pages are mostly lightweight, so you may download around 3MB per site. However, website servers need a lot of bandwidth to upload page files to every connected device. Pages feel dial-up slow if the server is overloaded or your connection has issues.

Latency causes long page load times and makes websites feel unresponsive.

Tips for improving your connection speed

Got the internet speed blues? Here are a few things to brighten up your sad connection.

Restart your network

Sometimes you need to restart (power cycle) your network devices to refresh connections. Start by unplugging the power on your modem, gateway, or ONT. Wait 30 seconds and plug it back in.

Do the same with a standalone router or mesh system when the modem, gateway, or ONT comes back online.

Check your wired connections

A loose coax or Ethernet cable lowers your bandwidth and increases latency. Make sure coax cables are tight, and Ethernet cables have secure connections in their ports. Also, swap out damaged cables if you can—they cause speed bottlenecks and high latency too.

Check your router settings

Wi-Fi adds latency and bandwidth bottlenecks because it’s an extra translation step between you and the destination. However, a crowded channel, an incorrect channel width, and incorrect quality of service (QoS) settings are a few factors that cause unwanted slowdowns.

Check out our guide on how to improve your Wi-Fi speed for more details on what to do.

Purge unused devices

Remember that laptop you no longer use, but it’s still plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi? Chances are it’s quietly eating your precious bandwidth with a smirk as it downloads Godzilla-sized updates. Kick it off your network along with all the other data leeches you never intend to use again.

Upgrade your router

Your internet connection has a set bandwidth, but a Wi-Fi router sets the wireless bandwidth on your home network. For example, an AX1800 Wi-Fi router has less bandwidth than an AX11000 one—1,800Mbps vs. 11,000Mbps combined, respectively. Plus, you should upgrade periodically to take advantage of new technologies and higher bandwidths, especially if you upgrade smartphones every few years.

Reset your devices

The speeds you get partially depend on server-client communication. Your speed woes may have nothing to do with the internet, your modem, or your router but with the devices (clients) you use. For example, corrupted network settings will cause Wi-Fi slowdowns. The fix ranges from something simple like restarting your device to extreme measures: resetting your device back to its factory defaults.

Upgrade your internet plan

Your internet provider controls your connection’s bandwidth even if you swapped out the modem and Wi-Fi router for newer, faster models. You can’t force 1,000Mbps speeds out of a 500Mbps internet plan. To get more bandwidth, you must upgrade to a faster plan.

Not sure how much speed you need? Check out our handy speed recommendation tool to help with that.

Find a new provider

Find a new internet provider if you’ve tried everything to improve your connection, and bandwidth and latency are still an issue. Competition is fierce, and most areas have at least two great provider options.

We provide a roundup of the fastest internet providers if you’re unsure where to start. Are you a gamer? We list the best internet for gaming too, based on latency.

Our verdict: Bandwidth and latency are crucial

Bandwidth and latency have an impact on everything you do online. High bandwidth and low latency translate to the best speeds and the fastest response times—that’s what you want for your internet connection. Low bandwidth and high latency mean slow downloads, choppy streams, and delayed responses. Nobody wants that.

If you need more bandwidth than you have right now, go with a faster internet plan and a high-capacity router like an AX11000 model. Both should help keep high latencies at bay, but your total bandwidth and latency depend on the connections between the remote servers and all your devices.

If you want to know more about how internet speed works, check out our comprehensive guide to internet speed.

• Fastest Internet Providers
• How to Stream on Twitch: Everything You Need to Know
• How Do I Connect My Router to My Computer?
• Improve Your Wi-Fi Speed in 10 Simple Steps

You need download speeds of at least 5Mbps to watch Disney+ in HD, but that requirement jumps to 25Mbps if you want to watch in 4K.

In the U.S., most internet providers offer plans that are fast enough for Disney+ and other streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube TV. Data limits can be a much bigger (and more expensive) problem for binge-happy homes.

We’ll get into the speed and equipment you need to stream Disney+ and give you some options for internet providers that make it possible. Then, we’ll offer ideas for what to do if you have limited monthly data and show you how to make manual adjustments.

Disney+ speed basics

It’s important to understand the basics of video streaming when you’re shopping for internet plans that can support Disney+. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. You need faster speeds the more devices you have on your home Wi-Fi.
2. Streaming in 4K uses a lot of data, but you can adjust your resolution manually if you’re on a data budget.
3. Cable and fiber internet are your best options for streaming because of their speed, reliability, and generous data limits.

Does your Wi-Fi have what it takes?

Run our speed test to see if your internet is fast enough for Disney+.

Is the minimum Disney+ recommendation fast enough?

Disney+ is transparent about the speeds you need to stream on the service. Lucky for you, these are on the low end compared to what other streaming services require.

Speed requirements from Disney+

As you can see, streaming just one show at a time on Disney+ doesn’t take much speed. However, you’re probably using your Wi-Fi for many other tasks at the same time. You’ll need additional speed for the following:

• Browsing on other devices
• Checking email
• Scrolling on social media
• Simultaneous streaming on any other TVs and tablets
• Security cams (especially if they have cloud storage)

For most households, we recommend about 100Mbps of speed per person. But every household is different. Click below and answer six quick questions for a personalized speed recommendation.

What happens when your internet is too slow to stream Disney+?

Disney+ automatically adjusts to the best possible resolution based on the device you’re using and your internet speed. If you don’t have enough speed to stream smoothly, here’s what you’ll see:

• Stuttering audio
• Poor picture quality
• Frequent pauses for buffering
• Videos that won’t play

If this happens to you, try the time-tested trick of restarting your streaming device and your router. If that doesn’t help, log in to your router interface to disconnect bandwidth-hogging devices you aren’t using. If that still doesn’t work, you might need to upgrade your internet speed or switch providers.

Watch your data budget while streaming Disney+

Internet speed is only half the equation when it comes to choosing a great internet plan for streaming Disney+. Streaming also eats up data.

If you’re streaming on a cell phone, this can be a huge issue. We’ve seen plans with limits of 100GB per month on the high end, but some cheap plans offer as little as 10GB.  Satellite internet usually caps high-speed data too.

Home internet providers usually offer much bigger buckets of data. The standard cap for cable providers and fixed 5G home internet is 1.2TB, but you may find truly unlimited data from some cable providers. If you have fiber or DSL internet, you’re in luck! Data limits are rare.

If your plan has strict data limits—whether you’re on a cell network or home Wi-Fi—you need to either adjust your Disney+ resolution manually or limit your viewing hours so you don’t run out of data.

Here’s a look at how long you can stream on Disney+ by resolution and data cap.

Data usage for Disney+

It’s important to remember that you use data for a lot of things other than streaming—think file uploads, photo editing in the cloud, browsing, app updates, and more. Your max data allocations won’t be available for streaming, so budget accordingly.

Learn more about managing data usage in our expert resource library.

Device requirements for streaming Disney+

Disney+ works on a wide variety of mobile devices, streaming sticks, smart TVs, and browsers, plus HDMI and AirPlay. If you’re having trouble with your stream, make sure all your apps and devices have the latest software updates.

If that doesn’t work, check the list of supported devices from Disney+, and consider trying a different device or browser if yours isn’t listed.

What do you need to stream Disney+ in 4K?

All Disney+ plans include 4K streaming, and it’s great! You can watch in Disney’s version of Ultra HD 4K (with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision) plus Dolby Atmos and IMAX Enhanced without paying extra.

However, you need the right devices to stream in 4K. First, you need a 4K-capable TV. Next, you need a streaming device capable of handling 4K. Our top picks for the price are the Apple TV 4K (for Apple fans) and the Chromecast with Google TV (for Android users).

If you want to enjoy IMAX Enhanced, you’ll need a suitable Android TV.

Learn more about how to stream any video in 4K in our expert resource library.

Best internet plans for streaming Disney+

You need fast, reliable internet for streaming video. If fiber internet is an option where you live, that’s your best bet. Otherwise, look for your local cable internet provider or give a 5G home internet provider a try.

Here’s a look at some of the most affordable internet plans with speeds fast enough to stream Disney+.

If you can’t get these providers where you live, don’t sweat it! Look for plans with speeds of at least 100Mbps from any providers that reach your front door.

What if you have slow internet?

Having slow internet or a low data cap doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Disney+. The service will automatically adjust resolution based on your device and your internet connection, but you can dive into the settings to make manual adjustments as needed.

You can even watch Disney+ without an internet connection if you don’t have Wi-Fi and you’re running out of mobile data on your device. Let’s get into the details.

Can you watch Disney+ without internet?

You need an internet connection to access Disney+ content. However, you can download Disney+ shows onto your devices and watch them later without a connection as long as you subscribe to the Disney+ Premium, Disney Bundle Trio Premium, or Legacy Disney Bundle. Unfortunately, ad-supported plans don’t allow downloads.

You can download shows on up to 10 devices on a single plan. To manage how much storage space each download takes up, you can choose among low, medium, and high resolutions. Your recordings will work unless you fail to connect to the internet for a 30-day stretch.

Learn more about downloading Hulu and Disney+ shows on your mobile device.

How to restrict Disney+ streaming to Wi-Fi connections

If you have a low data limit on your cellular plan, you might want to prevent Disney+ from streaming unless your device is connected to Wi-Fi. Here’s how:

Step 1: In the Disney+ app, tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Tap App Settings in the list of options.

Step 3: Under Video Playback, tap the gray toggle next to Stream over Wi-Fi only. The toggle turns blue when active.

How to put Disney+ on a data diet

You might need to adjust your resolutions on Disney+ to save on data. Here’s where to find the settings on all the ways you can watch.

How to manually adjust the resolution on Disney+ on mobile

To adjust the resolution of the Disney+ app for mobile, do the following:

Step 1: In the Disney+ app, tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Tap App Settings in the list of options.

Step 3: Tap on Wi-Fi Data Usage and select Automatic (up to HD) or Save Data (SD only).

Step 4: Tap on Cellular Data Usage and select Automatic or Save Data.

How to manually adjust Disney+ resolution on your browser

To adjust the video setting of Disney+ in a desktop browser, do the following:

Step 1: Navigate to disneyplus.com and enter your login credentials.

Step 2: Select the profile you want to edit.

Step 3: Hover the cursor over your profile icon in the top right corner.

Step 4: Click the App Settings link on the drop-down menu.

Step 5: Choose a setting: Automatic (up to 4K UHD), Moderate (up to HD), or Save Data (SD only).

How to manually adjust Disney+ resolution on your TV

To adjust the resolution of the Disney+ app for Smart TVs and streamers, do the following:

Step 1: Open the Disney+ app on your Smart TV, streamer, or game console.

Step 2: Select the profile you want to edit.

Step 3: Select Settings (the gear icon) listed on the rollout menu on the left.

Step 4: Select App Settings.

Step 5: Choose a setting: Automatic (up to 4K UHD), Moderate (up to HD), or Save Data (SD only).

Disney+ FAQ

Disclaimers

Streaming video from any given platform takes up only a few megabits per second, up to about 25Mbps for 4K. However, we recommend choosing an internet plan with at least 100Mbps of download speed for most households.

So why, exactly, do you need 100Mbps of speed when streaming requires only 25Mbps?

It’s because most of the time, home internet connections are doing more than just streaming a single show. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for kids to be streaming Phineas and Ferb on their iPads downstairs while their parents are upstairs watching Squid Game or watching live sports.

We’ll start by listing the minimum speeds needs for streaming on all the big platforms. To make sure your internet connection can keep up, just add up all the different services that could be running at the same time. Just don’t forget to budget a few megabits for people who might be trying to work while everyone else is streaming.

How much speed do you need for your streaming service?

Select a button to find out what you need to stream your favorite service(s).

What speed do I need to stream video?

Everybody eats, everybody sleeps, and everybody streams video. Services like YouTube, Netflix ,and Disney+ are everywhere. But how can you ensure a great experience?

First, you need a good internet connection. Look for speeds of at least 100Mbps on an internet plan with unlimited data.

The next thing you need is a streaming service. Most services provide TV shows and movies on demand, but there are also some—like YouTube TV—that offer live TV channels, just like cable TV. Many of these services offer free trials, and some—like Crackle and YouTube—are completely free.

If you don’t know which service to sign up for, try a few. If you’re looking for more information, check out these other articles:

• Disney+ vs. Netflix
• Netflix vs. Hulu
• Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video
• HBO Max vs. Netflix
• 4K Streaming Guide

How much speed you need for Netflix

Netflix has clear recommendations for speed based on the quality of video you want. Just know that the speeds listed are for streaming on a single device, so if multiple devices on your network are watching Netflix at the same time, you need enough speed to handle all those streams at once.

How much speed you need for Apple TV+

Apple doesn’t give official requirements for download speeds on its Apple TV+ streaming service. Like most streaming services, it will adjust the quality of the video automatically to match your download speed. It streams at higher bitrates than most competitors, often exceeding 25Mbps for 4K.

We recommend speeds of at least a 25Mbps  per device if you want to watch in 4K quality. To take full advantage of all the features Apple offers—4K HDR video with Dolby Vision—you’ll need an Apple TV 4K as well as a broadband connection of at least 25Mbps.

How much speed you need for Hulu

Hulu’s speed recommendations are based on picture quality and the type of content you’re watching. Similar to other streaming providers, Hulu automatically adjusts the video quality based on internet speed. It also recommends higher speeds for live content than library content. These recommendations are also the bare minimum, so we suggest a slightly faster connection to make sure you always get the video quality you want.

How much speed you need for Amazon Prime Video

Like many services, Amazon automatically adjusts the quality of your videos to serve you the highest quality picture possible based on your speed. It doesn’t have much in the way of speed recommendations, but it does warn that even if you’re watching on a supported device, you may experience issues below a certain connection speed. Since these are minimum requirements, we would recommend having a faster connection if possible.

How much speed you need for YouTube

Like Netflix, YouTube does a great job of making its internet speed recommendations easy to understand. YouTube also points out that even if your connection can hit these numbers on a speed test, there are other factors like Wi-Fi performance, the type of connection, and the number of other devices on your network that can reduce your actual speed. We’ll talk more about other factors that affect buffering below.

How much speed you need for YouTube TV

Although it does offer recommended speeds for reliable streaming, YouTube TV notes that you can still use the service with slow internet speeds. For example, you can stream an HD video with a 7Mbps download speed, but you’re more likely to run into buffering issues. You can also watch with speeds slower than 3Mbps, but any content may load slowly or rebuffer when you try to watch.

How much speed you need for Disney+

Disney+ has speed recommendations that are on par with other streaming video services. If your connection is fast enough for 4K UHD video but you still find yourself being served low-quality video instead, it’s worth noting that some titles aren’t available in 4K.

How much speed you need for Sling TV

Sling TV issues its speed recommendations based on the type and number of devices you plan to use, recommending at least a 25Mbps connection if you’re going to be streaming on multiple devices. It also notes that these recommendations are for constant speeds. If you had a cable connection that slows during peak-use times, for instance, make sure that your speed never dips below these requirements for Sling to run properly.

How much speed you need for HBO Max

HBO Max offers troubleshooting advice based on which device you’re using to stream. You need at least 5Mbps of speed to watch in HD and at least 50Mbps for watching in 4K.

How much speed you need for Paramount+ Premium Streaming Service

Paramount+ suggests minimum speeds of at least 25Mbps to watch in 4K, but you can get away with speeds that are much slower if you’re watching live TV or shows on demand. Get a list of full system requirements from Paramount+.

How much speed you need for Peacock

Peacock recommends a minimum speed of 3Mbps, but says that to enjoy certain high-quality live events and ultra-high definition premium content, you’ll need at least 8Mbps. That’s a decent speed for standard HD streaming, but it should be noted that ultra-high definition is usually synonymous with 4k resolution, which needs much more bandwidth. We recommend a connection with at least 25Mbps to get the bes-quality video.

When watching live events, it’s also important to use a low-latency connection like fiber for the best real-time experience.

How much speed you need for STARZ

STARZ has some of the lowest speed requirements we’ve seen among premium streaming services, recommending speeds up to just 12Mbps for streaming on a TV. You’ll still be happiest with speeds of at least 25Mbps, though.

How much speed you need for VUDU

VUDU offers streaming in HDX, which is a format developed by VUDU that claims a better movie experience by preserving a film’s native 24 frames per second frame rate. If your internet connection can’t maintain the required minimum speed, you can use the VUDU app to download the video in HDX format.

How much speed you need for Crackle

Crackle is an ad-supported streaming service, so in addition to playback issues related to your internet speed, ad blockers might interfere with your video. If you’ve checked your speed but are still having issues, try disabling your ad blocker and see if it makes a difference.

Acorn TV cites only a minimum speed requirement. This minimum is also fairly low compared to other streaming services. For higher-quality streams, especially on multiple devices, you’ll want more speed.

What if you meet the minimum speed requirements and still have problems?

Keep in mind that even if your internet speed meets the recommended speed of the streaming service you’re using, you could still have trouble with the quality of your video. If someone is downloading a large file or on a video chat while you’re trying to stream video, your bandwidth is going to be split between all these activities.

Some types of internet connections can experience slowdown at peak-use hours. Fast internet connections also need fast Wi-Fi routers that can handle multiple devices streaming at the same time. Watching a movie on Netflix uses more bandwidth than surfing the web, Voice over IP, or even online gaming. As such, one of the most basic reasons to upgrade your internet service is to make sure that the video you stream has a crisp, clear picture and buttery-smooth playback.

What download speed do I need to watch YouTube?

YouTube has been around since 2005, and while it has kept up with the times by continually offering higher quality video for those with newer devices, it still also offers lower resolutions made for the days of dial-up internet.

To watch YouTube in 8K, you will want an internet plan with download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and unlimited data. To watch in 4K, get speeds of at least 20Mbps per device. For en even smoother viewing experience, though, we recommend having a slightly higher speed than is required for the resolution you’re watching. That will let the video stream buffer so you never have to wait.

Although faster internet connections are very helpful in watching online video, YouTube can deliver good quality, even on relatively slow connections. For example, you can watch HD video in 720p with a bandwidth of just 2.5Mbps. Even the slowest DSL and satellite internet connections shouldn’t have a problem with that.

If you don’t have a fast connection, no worries. While YouTube offers resolution up to 4K, you can reduce the resolution of your videos all the way down to 144p. For reference, that’s smaller than the resolution of the original Nintendo.

YouTube doesn’t give specific speed recommendations for its lowest resolutions (they’re pretty low quality), but it lists 500Kbps as the minimum speed requirement for using the site. It also previously listed these lower resolutions as good options for 56Kbps dial-up connections (though it admits that you might have to wait a bit for the video to load). That means no matter how slow your connection is, there’s probably a way to make YouTube videos work on your device.

How do I control my resolution?

By default, YouTube sets your resolution to Auto, which automatically uses the highest resolution that it can playback smoothly. The Auto setting will also change the resolution of the video on the fly if the speed of your connection fluctuates, so most of the time, you don’t have to do anything to get the highest quality video possible.

If you want to see a video in a specific resolution, or if you just don’t like your video quality going up and down, you can select the playback resolution by opening the video’s settings.

To open the video’s settings, click on the gear icon in the bottom right of the video. Then select Quality to see the available video resolutions. Just remember that if you select a resolution that requires a higher download speed than your internet connection can maintain, your video will have to pause to buffer anytime your bandwidth can’t keep up.

Are you getting enough speed from your connection to watch high-quality video?

Find out how much speed your connection actually has by taking our speed test.

Download speed is fairly consistent across devices, which means that it doesn’t matter if you’re watching on a TV, a smartphone, or a computer—you still need the same speed to watch higher quality videos. If some of your devices are having trouble at higher resolutions and others aren’t, it might be a problem with the device or a problem with your Wi-Fi network.

What else do I need to watch YouTube?

Download speed is the most important requirement for watching YouTube videos, but there are also software and operating system requirements for using the site. If you’re watching YouTube on a mobile device or a smart TV, the easiest way to watch is to simply use the appropriate YouTube app on your device. You can also watch YouTube using a mobile browser, though the app usually works better.

Officially, the site supports the following browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari

This will allow you to watch most content on the site; however, YouTube notes that some “premium” videos like movies, TV shows, and livestreams require faster connections and have additional requirements, such as specific operating systems:

• Windows 7 or higher
• Mac OS X 10.7 or higher
• Ubuntu 10 or higher

The Opera browser is notably absent from the list of browsers required for premium content.

One other important note is that if you’re watching YouTube videos in a browser, 4K and 8K playback is unavailable unless you’re using Google Chrome. YouTube officially says that Chrome is required for watching all HD content in a browser, but we were able to watch 1080p in Firefox without any issues, so it seems that only 4K and 8K require Chrome. Both YouTube and the Chrome browser are owned by Google.

What upload speed do I need to make YouTube content?

If you’re a content creator, you have to worry about your upload speed in addition to your download speed. If you plan on livestreaming on YouTube, you probably want upload speeds of at least 20Mbps.

Fortunately, you have a lot more flexibility if you’re not streaming live. The site has lots of handy tools for uploading, so while a faster upload speed will get your videos on YouTube faster, you can still be a YouTube creator with a slow upload speed.

If your uploads are taking too long, you can try the following:

• Reduce the file size of your video by using a different video format.
• Upload during off hours when there’s less internet traffic.
• Choose a lower resolution for your video.
• Upgrade your internet connection to get more upload speed.

If you want to upgrade your internet connection to get more upload speed, the easiest way is to choose an internet connection that has symmetrical upload and download speeds, like fiber.

Gigabytes. Megabits. TBs. Kbps. Whew! What a mega headache. There’s more jargon associated with computing, networking, and the internet than you can shake a stick at. And you’ll likely bring out the hecklers if you jump on a Reddit forum and type the wrong “b” as you complain about your internet speed. Sigh.

But here’s the skinny: Each of these terms describes a digital amount, but talking about an amount of data is different from talking about how fast that data is transferred. The capital B’s and lowercase b’s make a real difference.

What’s the difference between KB, MB, GB, and TB?

File storage size is measured in KB (kilobytes), MB (megabytes), GB (gigabytes), and TB (terabytes), with KB being the smallest measurement and TB being the largest. Check out the chart below for specifics and real-world examples.

How many megabits per second (Mbps) does your internet plan deliver?

To find out, run our speed test from a wired connection and compare the results to your plan’s advertised speed. If you’re on Wi-Fi, move next to the router (if you can) to get the best results from our test.

To find out, install our mobile app, run our speed test next to the router or gateway to get the best results, and then check your numbers against your plan’s advertised speed. For the most accurate speed readings, run the test from a wired connection instead.

Read on to learn about how internet speeds relate to Mbps. Then, get the full explanation of bits vs. bytes … so there’s no chance of catching shade on your next Reddit expedition.

Megabits vs. Megabytes: the quick comparison

The term “megabits” is almost always used to show how much data you can transfer across a network in a second, abbreviated as Mbps. For example, an internet connection may have a bandwidth (or speed) of up to 940Mbps. The term “megabytes” is almost always used to show how much data a storage device can transfer in a second, abbreviated as MBps (or MB/s).

In short, Mbps means speed and MB means storage. It follows, then, that GB means file size and Gbps means speed, and the same is true of KB vs. Kbps and GB vs. Gbps.

The capitalization of that “b” does make a difference.

Do you need gigabit internet?

Gigabit internet is shorthand for internet speeds of 1Gbps, which is equal to about 1,000Mbps. All fiber internet providers we review offer speeds of at least a gigabit, and many cable internet providers now offer plans in that range as well.

Those speeds are impressive, but most households don’t need gigabit speeds. An internet plan with 500Mbps speeds is plenty fast for even the biggest, most binge-happy homes.

Bits vs. bytes: What is the difference?

We promised to get into the technical stuff, and that time has come.

First, it’s true the digital universe is made of nothing but ones and zeroes. In fact, the term bit is short for binary digit, the smallest unit of data. The value is either a “1” or a “0,” although the two values can signify “on” and “off” states or something similar.

So, what is a byte? It’s not what you do when you grab a piece of chicken—that’s a wholly different word. A byte is a group of eight bits, but we also use the term to describe the smallest unit of storage—we’ll explain more about that later.

Keep in mind that any measurement written in bytes is eight times larger than the corresponding unit measured in bits. In other words:

1 megabyte (1MB) = 8 megabits (8Mb)

1 gigabyte (1GB) = 8 gigabits (8Gb)

With us so far?

What are bits and bytes used for?

So, let’s do a quick recap:

• Bit – a single unit of data represented as a one or a zero.
• Byte – a combination of eight bits, like 11001100.

Simple enough, right? Now, let’s look at how we use the two terms.

Bit

Uses: networking and computing

Bits refers to the amount of data you can transfer in one second. Why? Because measuring data in motion (downloading and streaming) is trickier than measuring data at rest (files, programs, etc.).

For instance, everything you download—websites, pictures, emails, software, cat videos, and so on—divides into packets and transmits in several different directions, often arriving on your device out of order (and then reorganized). This erratic flow of data isn’t always easy to divide into bytes, so we use bits instead.

So, what does Mbps mean?

Bits per second (bps) is the number of bits moving between two points in a single second. Data transfer rates, upload speeds, download speeds, and bandwidth are almost always measured this way.

So, we obviously don’t want to say or write that our internet connection is 500,000,000 bits per second—500Mbps per second is far shorter.

When we apply this measurement to an internet connection, the most you can download at any given second from a 500Mbps plan is 500 megabits. Plus, we generally think of this number as our top speed, but it’s really the full bandwidth set by your internet provider.

Clear as mud? Read this quick primer on speed vs bandwidth from our expert archives.

Byte

Uses: storage and software

A byte is the smallest storage unit. Hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, and system memory have almost always listed their maximum capacity, read and write speeds, and transfer speeds in bytes.

Software size is also measured in bytes. One standard character requires a single byte of storage, so storing the word “hello” needs five bytes, one for each letter. This is why all forms of device storage—from RAM to hard drives—are generally measured in bytes.

So, what does MBps mean?

Generally, megabits per second describe the data transfer rate between an internal component and its parent device. For example, a WD Black SSD may have a set storage capacity, but the specifications also list a transfer rate of up to 7,300MB per second. If we wrote that in megabits, the number would be a longer 58,400Mbps, so manufacturers list the shorter number.

You can technically measure speed in bytes per second simply by taking the speed in bits per second and dividing by eight. For example, a 1,000Mbps internet speed converts to 125MB/s. But network speed is almost never measured in bytes, so if you see a speed listed for an internet connection, it’s safe to say that it’s using bits per second.

Megabits vs. megabytes: Why it matters

These subtle differences in units make it easy to flub your math when dealing with your internet speed. If you happen to get them mixed up, your calculations will be off. Way off.

For example, let’s say you want to download a 500MB file, and you have a 100Mbps internet connection. If you don’t notice the capital B in the file size, you might estimate that this download would take five seconds. However, the units don’t match up. The file size is measured in megabytes, while the connection speed is measured in megabits. Since the file size is eight times larger than you originally estimated, it actually takes eight times as long to download—40 seconds.

Now, waiting 35 seconds longer than you expected isn’t too bad, but waiting an extra 35 minutes on a download that was supposed to take only five is more of an inconvenience. This can also be frustrating if you realize you’re paying for an internet connection that gives you a lot less speed than you thought.

Megabits vs. megabytes: Why it doesn’t matter

If you’re having trouble keeping track of all these numbers, relax. Take a deep breath, and get yourself a snack. While it’s important to know the difference between bits and bytes (and to know that there is a difference), you don’t have to worry about making an expensive blunder.

Bits and bytes are used in different contexts

Generally speaking, network speed always uses bits, and storage capacity and speed always use bytes. More specifically, all internet providers list plans in megabits and gigabits, like 500Mbps and 5Gbps. All storage drive manufacturers list capacities and transfer speeds in megabytes, like 500MB and 7,500MB/s, respectively.

You never have to worry about converting between units. Even if a provider wanted to be sneaky and measure its speed in MBps instead of the standard Mbps, it would only make their connection look eight times slower than competing plans. What looks faster to you? 1,000Mbps or 125MBps?

You’ll never need to calculate exact download times

When you download a large file, modern browsers calculate the download time for you automatically. But even these exact calculations are rarely spot-on because there are so many other factors that impact how long it takes your data packets to download.

The important thing to know about your internet speed is not what volume of data it could download in an ideal situation, but whether or not it’s fast enough to do what you want it to do.

Our verdict: Knowing the difference can be useful

Megabits are used to measure wired and wireless speeds (Mbps). Megabytes are used to measure storage capacity and how fast storage devices transfer data (MB/s). Bytes are made up of eight bits, so to convert a value in bits to bytes (or Mbps to MBps, Gbps to GBps, etc.), simply divide the value by eight:

• 1,000 megabits per second ÷ 8 = 125 megabytes per second
• 250 megabytes per second x 8 = 2,000 megabits per second

Knowing the difference between bits and bytes is useful for navigating discussions about internet technology and other digital devices. It can also help you ask more useful questions when dealing with tech support or customer service.

Fortunately, in this case, knowing is significantly more than half the battle. Situations where you have to actually do the math rarely pop up outside of a computer science quiz. But now that you can do the math if you need to, get ready to amaze your friends next time this category pops up on Jeopardy!

Related content

• This Is Why Your Internet Slows Down at Night
• 5 Myths People Believe about the Internet—Debunked
• How Important Is My Wireless Router to My Internet Speed?
• How Much Speed Do You Need for Live Video Game Streaming?
• How to Pause Your Internet Service

You can watch YouTube TV on almost any internet connection type, but you’ll have the best experience with speeds of at least 50Mbps per device. If you want to watch in better quality or take advantage of simultaneous streams, you’ll need a faster connection.

For most households, an internet plan with speeds up to 250Mbps is fast enough for everyone in the family to watch without buffering or lag. If you live alone, you can get away with 100Mbps speeds even if you watch in 4K.

Internet speed matters the most for watching YouTube TV, but data limits and internet tech types are important too. We’ll recommend a few internet plans that play nice with YouTube TV—whether you’re watching in 4K on multiple screens or live alone and need internet access on a budget.

Is your Wi-Fi fast enough for YouTubeTV?

Find out what speeds your device is getting on your current connection.

YouTube TV speed basics

There are a few things you need to know as you decide on an internet connection suitable for YouTube TV. Here are our golden rules of streaming:

Higher picture quality requires faster speeds. YouTube TV automatically selects the best picture quality based on your device and your connection. If you have a slow connection, you’ll automatically get a lower resolution. However, you can make manual adjustments if necessary.

Adding devices requires faster speeds. You need speeds of only 7Mbps to stream one show on YouTube TV in HD, but most people use their internet connection for more than one activity at a time—think mobile phones, smart home gadgets, laptops, gaming consoles, and more. If any of those devices is also trying to stream video or download big files, you need even faster speeds.

Connecting via Ethernet is better than connecting via Wi-Fi. Most devices connect over Wi-Fi these days. Usually, it works great! But if you want bulletproof connectivity for watching YouTube TV, use an Ethernet cable instead. Most Smart TVs and game consoles have Ethernet ports, as do streaming devices such as Apple TVs and the Roku Ultra. To connect via Ethernet with a Chromecast device, you’ll need an Ethernet adapter.

These download speeds let you watch without lag

Back when YouTube got its start, fast internet was a lot harder to come by. YouTube TV—the company’s answer to cable TV—wasn’t launched until 2017. But whether you’re watching classic YouTube or YouTube TV, most modern internet connections meet the bare minimums.

Here’s the official word from YouTube TV on minimum download speeds you need for different resolutions:

With a standard YouTube TV subscription, you can watch shows or games in HD on up to three devices at a time as long as your internet connection is sufficient.

If you spring for the 4K Plus add-on, you’ll have to pay an extra $4.99–$9.99 per month, but you’ll get the following benefits:

• Shows and games in 4K (when available)
• Up to six simultaneous streams
• Downloads on mobile devices for offline viewing

Lucky for you, it’s easy to find out how much internet speed your household needs. Get started on your personalized recommendation by clicking below.

You can learn even more about internet speeds in the following articles from our expert resource library.

• 4K Streaming Guide
• Internet Speed Guide
• Internet Streaming Guides
• The Best Internet Providers for Streaming

Steps for controlling your resolution on YouTube TV

YouTube automatically adjusts screen resolution based on your device and the quality of your connection, but you might want to adjust it manually to save on bandwidth or data. That process looks different on different devices, but here’s a quick tutorial:

How to adjust Youtube TV resolution on a TV

Step 1: Click the gear icon in the video player.

Step 2: Navigate to Quality.

Step 3: Select your desired resolution.

Your chosen settings will remain until you change them back to Auto, even if you turn the TV off and on again.

How to adjust YouTube TV resolution on a smartphone or tablet

Step 1: Open a show in the YouTube TV app.

Step 2: Tap on the gear icon followed by the Quality option.

Step 3: Select your desired picture quality.

You can choose Higher Picture Quality for the best possible picture, but that uses the most data. You can choose Data Saver for lower quality and less data usage or Advanced to set your own resolution. The player will default to Auto for the next show.

How to adjust YouTube TV quality on all videos

Step 1: Tap on your profile picture and open Settings.

Step 2: Under Video Quality Preferences, make your selection. You will have the same options you would on your smartphone.

If you don’t change the settings at all, YouTube will adjust your resolution automatically. If you have an unlimited data plan and sufficient bandwidth, you’re in luck! You shouldn’t have to mess with the resolution settings at all.

What else do you need to watch YouTubeTV?

You can watch YouTube TV on virtually any screen that’s connected to the internet, but you may have to download a specific browser or use the YouTube TV app.

To watch YouTube TV on a computer, use the Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browsers. If you’re having issues, make sure you’ve downloaded the most recent version of the browser.

Watch YouTube TV on the YouTube TV app with a wide variety of consoles, smart TVS, smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, and smart displays. For the app, make sure you have Cobalt version 20 or higher.

Regardless of how you watch YouTube TV, it’s important to note that the DVR is cloud-based. That means all your shows are saved on YouTube’s servers, not on your local devices. The benefit is that you can access your DVR content from anywhere you have a decent internet connection. The bad news is that you’ll be locked out of YouTube TV if you don’t have internet access (and haven’t used your 4K Plus add-on to download shows to a mobile device ahead of time). Even worse, YouTube automatically deletes your recordings after nine months.

Want YouTube TV? Get fiber internet

While it’s technically possible to watch YouTube TV on slower internet connections like DSL or satellite, you’ll get the best experience with fiber internet connection. Download speed and price are the most important numbers to pay attention to when you’re shopping for internet for YouTube TV.

Best fiber internet for streaming YouTube TV without a hitch

Watching YouTube TV on a budget

In our 2024 annual internet provider review, we identified $50 per month as a good budget price for home internet. Since YouTube TV itself costs even more than that every month, it makes sense to look for a cheap internet plan.

The plans available to you will depend on your exact address, but the following are some of the best budget plans with speeds fast enough to stream live TV.

Best budget internet plans for watching YouTube TV

FAQs about YouTube TV

Disclaimers

Watching other people play video games is almost as popular as playing them yourself. And people aren’t just watching big-name internet celebrities either. Twitch, the most popular game streaming platform, has over four million unique creators streaming every month.¹ If you like sharing your gaming experiences with the world, or even just your friends, you could become one of them.

One of the keys to a successful stream is an internet connection that can handle the video (like fiber). No one wants to spend time and money getting your lights and camera just right only for your internet connection to reduce your stream to a choppy, pixelated mess.

But not to worry! We’re here to walk you through everything you need to know about internet speeds and live video game streaming so you can get your stream just right.

Livestreaming is all about upload speed

Livestreaming is one of the few situations when download speed (the speed your internet plan typically advertises) doesn’t really matter. All you have to worry about is your upload speed. You can learn more about the difference between download and upload speed here.

When you’re livestreaming, video captured from your device is sent, or uploaded, from your home to video servers somewhere on the internet. This is the opposite direction that video data usually flows since most people consume more online video content than they create.

One more time: download speed doesn’t matter for livestreaming.

Upload speed is often a bit more difficult to estimate because most internet service providers (ISPs) don’t advertise it as prominently as they do download speeds (your “advertised” speed refers to your download speed). For most kinds of internet connection, your upload speed will be much lower than your download speed. Upload speed can also fluctuate, so the easiest way to find your actual upload speed is to take a speed test. If you want an upload speed that can match your download speed, your best bet is fiber.

Test and track your internet speed on your phone

Download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.

Get your upload speed

Want to find out what upload and download speed you’re currently getting? Take a speed test.

That said, there are still plenty of online activities that require a good download speed. If you’re playing a game online or streaming royalty-free music while you’re on stream, you need to make sure you have enough download speed to ensure a smooth experience. However, the only number you need to worry about for getting your stream online is your upload speed.

Upload speed requirements for livestreaming across video platforms

We recommend having a minimum upload speed of at least 10 Mbps for livestreaming. On most platforms, this will give you a slight buffer to account for fluctuations in upload speed.

Different streaming platforms have different requirements when it comes to video quality. Some are optimized so that you can broadcast low-resolution video from your cell phone whenever you want, while others try to make it possible for viewers to tune in to TV-quality streams. While you can technically stream as long as you meet the minimum requirements, you should always plan to have at least an extra 5 Mbps to account for fluctuations in speed.

Here’s the breakdown of how much upload speed you’ll need to livestream on different platforms.

Twitch

Twitch is the biggest site for video game streaming, so if you want to be a streamer, you should be able to stream on Twitch. Fortunately, it gives streamers a few different recommendations for resolution and frame rate.

For context, 30 frames per second (fps) is the standard frame rate for television, while 60 fps is a common framerate in video games. Just like resolution, frame rate affects the amount of speed you need to stream, so if you don’t have the fastest connection, you might have to make a trade-off.

Facebook Live

Facebook keeps it simple, listing only the absolute minimum requirements for streaming on the platform. But that’s not to say you can’t achieve a decent video quality with Facebook.

Although you can start a livestream on Facebook with nothing more than your phone and the Facebook app, Facebook Live is also compatible with standard streaming software like OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, and vMix.

YouTube Live

YouTube has a staggering amount of recommendations, ranging from a 240p stream (which is the resolution of an old Nokia cell phone or a Game Boy Advance) to streaming in full 4K UHD.^{2, 3} We’d recommend shooting for somewhere in the middle. Plenty of professional streamers stream at 1080p, and that’s a high enough resolution to look good on everything from cell phones to TV screens.

You need extra internet speed for a stable video stream

We suggest that you try to have 10–15 Mbps more upload speed than the minimum requirement for the quality of video you’re trying to stream and even more if you know that your connection has regular issues with slowdown.

Another good rule of thumb is to have twice as much upload speed as whatever you set your bitrate to be, just to be safe. Not all your viewers will notice the subtle difference between 30 and 60 fps, but everyone will notice if your stream starts freezing and stuttering.

If you just barely meet the speed requirements for the video you’re trying to stream, the slightest fluctuation in your connection can interfere with or even crash your stream. That’s because livestreaming is a lot trickier than streaming video from Netflix. Since your stream isn’t prerecorded, the server can’t buffer to smooth out the normal ups and downs in internet speed.

Also, remember that if you’re streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously, you need enough total bandwidth that each stream has plenty of upload speed. For example, if you’re streaming 1080p video to both Twitch (6 Mbps minimum) and YouTube (3 Mbps minimum), you’d need an upload speed of at least 9 Mbps, though realistically, you’d need 15–20 Mbps to keep both streams stable.

Why is a stable video stream so important?

Livestreaming is much more technologically demanding than just playing games. Most online games can get by on a pretty modest internet connection, as long as there’s low latency. Livestreaming turns your home into your own personal TV station, broadcasting high-resolution video to your fans.

To grow an avid fan base on a platform like Twitch, you need to deliver a quality experience. A reliable camera, good audio equipment, and a fancy gaming computer are all important investments for any dedicated streamer, but none of that makes much of a difference to those watching if your stream freezes and staggers throughout the broadcast.

A reliable internet connection is one of the first investments an aspiring streamer should make.

What type of internet is best for livestreaming?

The best internet connection for livestreaming is fiber. To livestream, you need a reliable connection with good upload speeds and low latency. In all three of those categories, fiber-optic connections are by far the best option. If fiber isn’t available in your area, you probably want to go with a wired connection, as wireless connections tend to be more susceptible to interference and generally experience higher latency.

Fiber, is the best connection for livestreaming. It has symmetrical upload and download speeds, which means if you have gigabit download speeds, you get the exact same speeds for your uploads. Fiber is also a much more stable connection and doesn’t suffer from the same kind of slowing issues that cable has to deal with. All these factors make fiber the ideal connection for streamers.

Cable connections can reach upload speeds between 5 Mbps and 50 Mbps, so the best cable plans can handle HD streaming, but slower connections will be lucky to deliver anything above Game Boy quality. Cable is also prone to slowing down at peak hours, so unless you stream in the middle of the night, you might have to plan around the inevitable drop in speed.

DSL and satellite connections generally aren’t fast or stable enough for streamers, so you’re probably going to need either cable or fiber internet.

For more information, check out our page on fiber providers.

How does latency affect livestreaming?

Latency is the time it takes for a signal to travel from your computer to a server on the internet. It essentially determines the reaction time of your internet connection. Having high latency will cause lag in games or calls, delaying your reactions and causing problems.

Because streaming is primarily one-way communication, latency is handled a bit differently than it is in a video call. Streaming software usually performs more encoding and compression on your video (though you can adjust this in your settings) in order to improve the final quality at the expense of a few seconds of delay. This isn’t usually noticeable to your audience unless you’re streaming a Q&A session or a live event.

One important precaution for streamers to take is to use a wired connection to your router instead of Wi-Fi when possible. Even fast, reliable Wi-Fi introduces a bit of extra latency into your connection, so a wired connection is definitely preferable. If you don’t already have one, get yourself an Ethernet cable.

Why am I still getting dropped frames?

Do you have a solid internet connection but your video still looks choppy? Video game streams often suffer from dropped frames, where instead of the video playing smoothly from one frame to the next, the same frame will play twice in a row and then skip forward. If enough frames are dropped, it can lead to jittery, uneven video.

Although a slow or unstable internet connection can cause a stream to drop frames, dropped frames are often a problem with your capture card. If your capture card can’t record and encode your video data fast enough to keep up with your framerate, the result is dropped frames in your stream.

Before you fork out the money to upgrade to a better capture card, there are a few things you can try. First, check your internet speed to make sure you’re getting the upload speed you think you are. Also, make sure that you’re plugged into your router and not relying on Wi-Fi.

If you try those things and are sure that it’s not your connection, try adjusting the settings in your streaming software, lowering your bitrate. You can also try updating your computer’s network drivers.

Use the tool below to check your internet speed and get results in seconds. You’ll learn upload and download speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) and latency and jitter in milliseconds (ms) based on your device, your local network, and your connection to the internet.

That’s it! You have the raw numbers, but there’s a little more to it. We’ll walk you through what it all means so you can decide whether it’s time to make a change.

What an internet speed test measures

What are Mbps?

Internet speed is measured in bits per second, and megabits stands for one million bits. Speeds are usually measured in Mbps, but sometimes measured in gigabits per second (Gbps), which is a billion bits per second.

What is download speed?

Download speed measures how fast information from the internet gets to your device (for example, how fast your Netflix show loads) in Mbps. Think of it like the time it takes a car to get from the store to your home.

What is upload speed?

Upload speed refers to how fast information on your device can be sent to some other destination on the internet (like how fast your vacation pictures post to Instagram) in Mbps. Think of it like the time it takes for a car to get from your home to the store.

What is ms?

This one’s easy! It’s the standard tech abbreviation for milliseconds, or thousands of a second. No analogy required.

What is latency?

Latency, or lag, refers to the time it takes for a signal to be sent to and from your computer to a remote server somewhere. Think of it like the round-trip travel time of a single car.

What is jitter?

Jitter refers to the consistency of your latency over time. If latency is the round-trip travel time of a single car, jitter measures the difference in arrival times of separate cars.

What is bandwidth?

Bandwidth refers to the width of the metaphorical pipe through which you’re downloading and uploading data, and it relates to your local area network rather than speeds on a single device. When you’re shopping for home internet plans, max download and upload speeds refer to your connection’s total bandwidth at any given time.

What determines your internet speed?

Your internet speed is determined by your device, your local connection, and your internet provider. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Your device: Your laptop, smartphone, desktop, or smart TV is the first link in the chain. Newer and higher-quality devices process data faster.

Your local connection: Whether you’re connected through Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable, your local network is the next link. Like with personal devices, newer and higher-quality Wi-Fi routers and Ethernet cables translate to faster speeds.

Your internet provider: Your internet provider connects your local area network to outside networks, but is limited by both the internet plan you choose and your connection type. Generally speaking, faster connections cost more.

How internet type determines your speed

Dial-up internet is the slowest kind of internet connection and is too slow for uses like streaming video, with average speeds of 50Kbps or so (0.5Mbps). It’s mostly a relic of the past.

Satellite internet connects your local network to satellites in space, and its speeds and latency are highly variable. It’s also expensive, but you can get it almost anywhere.

Digital subscriber line (DSL) internet uses aging telephone networks and achieves speeds up to 100Mbps. It’s not much faster than satellite, and its speed and latency are affected by the distance to your internet provider’s central office.

4G LTE and 5G fixed wireless internet uses excess capacity on cell towers to provide internet to your home. Speeds can vary depending on traffic congestion and your distance from the nearest tower, but speeds can be as fast as 1,000Mbps in ideal circumstances.

Cable internet uses fiber-optics on the street and coaxial cables to connect to your home, just like cable TV. You can get download speeds up to 2Gbps, but you’ll have much slower upload speeds and may have congestion during peak hours.

Fiber internet connects you to the web via fiber-optic cables. You can get residential speeds up to 10Gbps, and you have the benefit of symmetrical upload speeds. Fiber also excels in reliability, latency, and jitter.

By understanding what kind of internet connection you have, you should have a good idea of how fast your connection should be. The question, though, is how much speed you’re actually getting from your connection.

Tips to get the most accurate speed

You know how to see the speed you’re getting on a single device at a given moment in time, but you need a little more info to determine whether you’re getting the bandwidth you deserve from your internet provider.

Here are a few things you can do to get the most accurate results:

Pause automatic downloads

Downloads can take up a lot of your bandwidth, and that means slow speeds on a speed test. You can check the Task Manager on Windows or the Activity Monitor on macOS to see if any programs are trying to download updates or other large files.

Get rid of freeloaders

Next, make sure that no one else on your home network is using a chunk of your bandwidth. You’re not going to get very accurate results if you have people streaming Netflix in three different rooms of your house while you test. You can ask them nicely to pause their activities while you test, or go scorched earth and kick them off by logging into your router interface or changing your Wi-Fi password.

Check for wireless router issues

As mentioned above, plugging directly into your router via Ethernet will give you the fastest possible speeds. It’s impractical, though, and may not be super helpful.

We suggest you check your internet speed where you most often use your computer, on Wi-Fi. If the speed is less than you expect, try plugging it into your router. If you get a dramatic increase in speed, it might be time to get a better router.

So, what do my results mean?

Once you know the speeds you’re getting over your internet connection, what do you do next? First, look up your plan info on your provider’s mobile app or your bill. Then, compare it to your results.

Fair warning, you probably won’t see an exact match. That’s to be expected. Here’s some additional context.

Interpreting download speeds

The download speeds that show up on your test will likely be slower than your plan speed, for a variety of reasons. If you have DSL, your speeds will be slower the further you are from neighborhood infrastructure. On satellite, cable, or fixed wireless, they’ll be slower depending on congestion in your neighborhood. With fiber, they may be slower based on factors like your device, your router, and your distance from that router.

Check multiple times a day on a few different devices to get a clear picture of whether your provider is living up to its end of the bargain.

Checking your latency

If you play online games or watch live video, you also want to pay attention to your latency. If your latency is below 20 milliseconds (ms), your experience should be perfectly smooth. If your latency is above 150 ms, you’re going to have some significant issues with lag.

Replacing an old router can reduce latency. Connecting directly to your router via Ethernet cable instead of over Wi-Fi will make a huge difference in preventing lag. Finally, you can upgrade to a type of connection with naturally lower latency, like fiber.

Diagnosing problems

If you’ve done everything you can to get the most accurate speed test and your download speeds are still way below what you expect, it could mean a few different things.

Malware: You might have malware on your device. Network worms and other malicious software hijack part of your bandwidth, but this is often the least of your worries. Run antivirus software to check for and remove malware.

Outdated hardware: You might have outdated hardware that’s incompatible with your provider’s requirements. For example, Xfinity’s gigabit services require a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. Although DOCSIS 3.0 equipment can technically get up to gigabit speeds, Xfinity doesn’t support it.

Internet service provider (ISP) issues: There might be a problem with your provider’s infrastructure. Sometimes these are just network interruptions caused by your ISP upgrading part of its network or simply doing maintenance. It could also be a more serious problem that can be fixed only by your provider. If you’ve explored the other options and are still having issues, call your ISP’s customer service.

Malfunctioning equipment: If your speed is lower than expected, but there are no problems with your internet service, there might be a problem with your equipment. Reset your modem and router by turning them off, waiting for a minute or two, then turning them back on. Try connecting to your router using an Ethernet cable instead of over Wi-Fi. If you’re already using a wired connection, try swapping out your Ethernet cable for a different one. You can also try running the speed test from a different device to see if you get the same results.

Interference: Wireless signals can experience interference from physical objects, like trees or the walls of your house, and from other electronic devices, such as your microwave or even your neighbor’s Wi-Fi router. Most of the time, this can be fixed by moving your router to a better position, but it might require changing the settings in your router’s menu.

• What Is a Good Download and Upload Speed?
• Mbps vs. Gbps: Do You Need Gigabit Internet?
• Improve Your Wi-Fi Speed in 10 Simple Steps
• Your Ultimate Guide to Internet Speed