Let’s get one thing straight: Your router is not your internet. The connection coming into your home, apartment, or business and attaching to your provider’s modem or fiber ONT is your internet. Your speed is defined by one of these two devices and the plan you choose. Case closed.

Your router, then, must be complementary. It’s your local virtual mailman that enables all your devices to send and receive data through one physical address. But if the mailman is tired and ready to call it a day, your internet will feel slow as snails, even though it flies faster than a cheetah.

We’ll explain what signs you should look for in a slow router, how older routers can affect your speed, and what you should do to improve your internet speed.

Why do I need a router?

You need a router so that more than one device can access a single internet connection. If that’s a good enough answer, move along to the next section—nothing else to read here, folks.

On a more technical level, data requires two addresses to complete a trip across the internet: A server address and a client address. Your internet provider assigns a public client address to the first wired device connected to your modem or ONT. The result is that only one of your devices—a computer, for example—can access the internet.

Now, imagine if we swap out the computer for a router. It receives the assigned public client address just like the computer. But it also has a built-in server that assigns new private client addresses to all your wired and wireless devices. Now any device connected to the router can send and receive data from the internet, not just a single computer.

In short, a router manages traffic to and from a modem or ONT.

Can a router slow my internet connection?

Technically, a router can’t slow your internet connection, but it can reduce the connection speeds between your devices and the modem or ONT. That bottleneck translates to a slow internet experience because the router is a slowpoke middleman between you and the internet.

An overwhelmed router can cause reduced speeds. It’s a tiny computer dedicated to routing network data, after all, so an overload can make the processor grow hot, causing it to work slower than usual.

Overload causes depend on the router and current network use. An old or low-quality router may produce slow speeds. Too many devices may upload and download data simultaneously, causing a network traffic jam. A faulty router causes slow speeds, too.

Another factor to consider is the type of internet port (WAN) a router uses. Pretend you have a 2Gbps internet plan. Your modem or ONT has an internet port outputting speeds up to 2.5Gbps, but your router uses Gigabit Ethernet for internet, so the most speed you can get from it is 1Gbps—half your plan’s speed.

Overall, a router can be your chokepoint, not the internet connection itself. Upgrading to a plan with a higher bandwidth doesn’t help if your router can’t handle your current network load or faster internet speeds. You must reboot, reset, or swap it out for a better model.

How can I tell if I have a slow router or slow internet?

First, know your internet plan. You can see exactly what you have by logging into your account through a web browser or mobile app.

Second, know how your router connects to your modem or ONT. As we suggested above, if you have a multi-gig plan and a multi-gig modem or ONT, you won’t see those speeds if your router supports only gigabit wired connections.

If everything checks out, run a wired internet speed test to see if your router is causing speed issues. Here’s how:

Step 1: Connect a computer to the router or gateway using an Ethernet cable.

Step 2: Open a web browser and load our speed test.

Step 3: Select Start Speed Test and record the results.

Step 4: Unplug the computer from the router.

Step 5: Unplug the router from your modem or ONT.

Step 6: Connect the computer to the modem or ONT using an Ethernet cable.

Step 7: Select Start Speed Test and record the results.

Step 8: Compare the results from the two tests (modems and ONTs only).

What if the modem test is faster than the router test?

Your router is your chokepoint. Remember, you ran these tests using a wired connection, so you should see most of the bandwidth delivered by your internet connection.

What if the modem test is the same as the router test?

If your router and modem’s wired speed test results aren’t dramatically different, then the next step is to test your wireless devices. Continue to the next section for instructions.

Run a Wi-Fi speed test

Step 1: Connect to the router’s 5 GHz or 6 GHz band.

Step 2: Download and install our speed test app (App Store, Google Play).

Step 3: Run the test no further than two feet away from the router. Never test your Wi-Fi connection from 10 feet out or more.

Step 4: Compare the results to your wired test.

Is there a dramatic difference between your wired and wireless speeds?

If so, consult our guide on how to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi network. Chances are, you need to switch Wi-Fi channels, change the channel width, or disable a few settings—again, many factors can cause slow wireless speeds.

You can also consult our guide on speeding up your internet if your connections are slow.

Does outdated equipment affect my internet speed?

Older routers, network equipment, and even your aging wireless devices can affect your Wi-Fi speeds.

For example, if you have a plan that supports only 100Mbps, old routers and network equipment likely won’t bottleneck your connections. However, if you have a gigabit plan, but your old router supports only 100Mbps wired, your wireless connection will seem as slow as snails.

Old smartphones, tablets, and other devices can slow you down, too, even if you have the fastest router and internet plan on the planet. Newer devices with budget Wi-Fi radios can also make the internet feel extremely slow.

Check the device’s supported Wi-Fi standard

Technology and how we use it are constantly changing and improving—max Wi-Fi speeds have gone from 300Mbps in 2009 to 9,600Mbps in just ten years. And wired connections have jumped from 10Mbps to 40,000Mbps over the last few decades.

Wi-Fi standards are one primary reason why dated equipment might not perform as well as newer equipment. There are four main Wi-Fi standards to be aware of if you think your router or wireless device is causing slow wireless connections.

Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n or Wireless N)

This specification appeared in 2009 and uses one 2.4 GHz wireless band. It supports a theoretical maximum wireless speed of 150Mbps per spatial stream—up to 450Mbps in a three-transmit, three-receive stream configuration (3×3).

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac or Wireless AC)

This specification was finalized in 2014 and pairs the 2.4 GHz band (Wi-Fi 4) with an additional 5 GHz band for faster speed capabilities. The spec brought beamforming to Wi-Fi, which enables the router to time broadcasts through multiple antennas so Wi-Fi signals converge in specific locations. The Wave 2 variant introduced MU-MIMO technology for sending transmissions to more than one wireless device simultaneously.

Here are three Wi-Fi 5 configurations:

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax or AX Wi-Fi)

This specification arrived in 2019 and upgraded both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It can reach max speeds up to a theoretical 9.6Gbps (9,600Mbps) using eight streams (8×8).

The primary goal of Wi-Fi 6 is to better handle network efficiency as opposed to just faster speeds. Many Wi-Fi 6 routers can easily handle dozens of connected devices, making them ideal for smart home devices.

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11axe or AXE Wi-Fi)

Released in 2020, Wi-Fi 6E is a more recent wireless standard. Unlike Wi-Fi 6, the 6E version isn’t a major upgrade. It only adds support for the 6 GHz Wi-Fi band along with MU-MIMO technology for receiving transmissions from more than one wireless device simultaneously.

The bottom line

None of this is to say that all routers over a few years old are bad—Wi-Fi 5 routers can still be perfectly serviceable for some homes, and Wi-Fi 6 routers are commonplace in most homes.

But if you’ve upgraded your internet plan or added more devices to your network, an older router may have a harder time juggling the extra work than a newer model.

Are you getting the maximum speeds from your internet plan?

Run our speed test to see how the results compare to what you’re paying for.

Can a new router speed up my internet?

A new router can’t increase your internet connection speed—your 300Mbps plan stays the same.

But a new router can make your Wi-Fi network run faster, especially if you’re upgrading from an outdated or faulty one. That 300Mbps plan can feel like a speed demon if your previous router didn’t fully utilize your plan’s bandwidth.

Keep in mind that a new router may not increase speeds on your wireless devices. If you purchase a Wi-Fi 6 router but still use a phone with Wi-Fi 5, your wireless connection won’t magically increase in speed. The phone still supports a theoretical max of only 866 Mbps, which is still higher than most cable-based internet plans.

More resources

• How to Get Gigabit Internet
• What to Do If You Feel Stuck with Bad Internet Service
• Fastest Internet Providers

FAQ about wireless speeds

Find out your internet speed, find fast internet providers, and more

What does internet speed mean?

Internet speed is the measure of how much time it takes a certain amount of data to transfer from a server to your device and vice versa.

Whether you’re streaming videos on Netflix, posting on Twitter, or attending a Zoom meeting, you’re using your device to download and upload packets of data. The rate at which you can transfer all of this data depends on your internet connection’s bandwidth, measured in Mbps.

On a home Wi-Fi network, your internet provider determines your Wi-Fi speed. What you can get depends on the provider’s technical capabilities and how much you’re willing to pay for higher speeds. Naturally, faster connections come with a higher monthly bill in most cases.

What is a good internet speed?

According to the latest proposals from the Federal Communications Commission, a good internet speed is a connection that gives you downloads of at least 100Mbps and uploads of at least 20Mbps. That’s the new benchmark that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel plans to set for broadband internet providers, customers, and policymakers.

An internet speed of 100 Mbps is enough to let four or five Wi-Fi users play online games, stream video in HD, and attend Zoom meetings with minimal slowdowns or buffering. It’s great for most people, although some users may prefer a slower plan with a cheaper price, while others need faster speeds to handle heavier internet usage.

Of course, different households can have drastically different internet needs. Someone who lives alone and uses the internet for only small things like social media and web browsing doesn’t need as much internet speed as a family of five streaming Netflix in every room. But a faster connection is often better, especially if you spend a lot of time on the internet or share Wi-Fi with multiple users (or both).

Speed requirements taken from HighSpeedInternet.com’s How Much Internet Speed Do I Need? guidelines.

What is the best internet speed for you?

Use our “How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?” tool to figure out the best internet speed for you, based on what you do online and how many people you share Wi-Fi with.

How fast does your internet need to be?

Your internet speed needs to be at least 25Mbps to work smoothly. That is the FCC’s current standard for minimum download speeds, although the commission is currently working to upgrade this minimum standard to 100Mbps.

Generally, you need internet that’s fast enough to support all of the activities that you tackle during your daily Wi-Fi usage. You also need internet with enough bandwidth to support other users on your Wi-Fi network. That ideal speed varies depending on the size of your household and what you do online, but if we’re talking in terms of speed needs, anywhere from 25Mbps to 100Mbps should be considered a baseline for you to use the internet smoothly.

What types of internet are there—and how fast are they?

There are several types of internet connections, and the type of connection you have plays a huge part in the speeds you can get.

Fiber and cable are the fastest and most popular types of internet connections, but many customers have also embraced 5G home internet in recent years thanks to its low prices.

In rural areas, satellite and fixed wireless internet are common picks. They’re slower and more expensive, but get you Wi-Fi in areas where networking infrastructure is limited.

Data as of 7/28/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*Percentages are based on internet availability data from the Federal Communications Commission.

Fiber internet is the fastest internet you can get. It uses bundled fiber-optic strands wrapped in a reflective case to transmit large amounts of data with light signals. Most fiber internet plans give you 1,000 Mbps speeds, although some providers can get you speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps or even 6,000 Mbps. Fiber is also the only type of internet that gives you symmetrical upload speeds—so your uploads will be just as fast as your downloads.

Cable internet uses the same coaxial copper cables that transmit cable TV services. It can reach gigabit speeds and is more widely available than fiber, making it an excellent option for most customers looking to have high-speed internet in their homes.² Cable internet plans often include bundle deals that let you pair Wi-Fi with a TV package.

DSL, short for digital subscriber line, uses the same wiring as landline telephone networks. It’s relatively slow (maxing out at 100 Mbps) and is becoming somewhat obsolete, since most DSL providers also offer fiber and have focused more on expanding their fiber services in recent years.

5G home internet is a relatively new internet type that provides internet over a fixed wireless connection. This type’s speeds range from 30–1,000 Mbps. 5G networks are still in the process of coming together, so 5G home internet isn’t widely available yet. The technology works best in densely populated areas, so 5G is mostly available in towns and cities—for now at least.

4G LTE home internet uses similar technology as 5G internet, but over 4G networks. It delivers slower speeds, usually dependent on what kind of cell service is available in the area. But it’s a great option for rural users whose other options might be limited to satellite internet.

Fixed wireless is a wireless, cellular–based type of internet connection. Most fixed wireless plans give you max speeds of 25–50 Mbps, making it a solid fallback option if you can’t find something faster or cheaper.

Satellite internet is available almost anywhere in the United States, but it’s the slowest kind of internet you can get. Most satellite customers live in rural areas where you can’t get any other type of internet connection.

How can you improve your internet speed?

You can improve your internet speed by upgrading to a faster plan, updating your equipment, or taking simpler measures like closing out apps and browser windows.

Internet can be slow for all sorts of reasons—and not just because you have a slow plan. So read on for common solutions and home remedies to put some pep in your Wi-Fi’s step. You can find more detailed explanations in our 10-step guide to improving internet speeds.

Update your modem and router. Outdated equipment can impede your Wi-Fi speeds, keeping you from hitting the speeds you’re paying for. To stay up to date, get a modem and router that meet wireless standards for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). And if you have a cable gigabit plan, make sure you have a DOCSIS 3.1 gigabit modem.

Move your router to a better location. Your router dispatches a Wi-Fi signal to all the connected devices in your home, so make sure it’s in a centralized location (like your living room) and away from any obvious obstructions. Bulky furniture or electronic appliances like microwaves can block its signal.

Plug your computer directly into your router. Use an Ethernet cable to give your computer a more direct line to your home network. Wired connections improve your speeds and reduce the chance of signal interference.

Regulate other users’ online activity. If you have an important Zoom meeting, ask your kids to switch off the Xbox to free up more bandwidth. Some routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings that let you put limits on certain users and online activities.

Close out unnecessary tabs and apps. Got two dozen tabs open on your browser? Clear the air by closing the ones you’re not using.

Upgrade your internet. If all else fails, you can always look into upgrading your internet speed. You may even consider switching providers if the service you have now just doesn’t cut it.

Download speed vs. upload speed—what’s the difference?

There are two types of internet speeds you should know: downloads and uploads.

Download speed is the speed at which information travels from various servers on the internet to your own, internet-connected device. Upload speed is the rate at which information travels from your internet-connected device to the internet.

Most internet connections have faster download speeds than upload speeds. But fiber internet gives you “symmetrical” internet speeds, meaning your uploads are just as fast as your downloads.

Activities that require download bandwidth:

• Streaming videos or music
• Reading an article or blog post
• Scrolling through your social media feed
• Downloading files

Activities that require upload bandwidth:

• Participating in a Zoom call
• Writing an article or blog post on Google Docs
• Posting to social media
• Hosting a livestream

Most internet users download much more information than they upload, so internet providers have traditionally allocated less bandwidth to uploads.

But upload speeds are still important, especially as more people depend on Zoom, Google Docs, and other interactive applications to work from home. Video conferencing, online gaming, social media, and sharing large files all require upload bandwidth—and fast upload speeds reduce the chance of choppy video calls and long load times. To get fast upload speeds, look for a fiber internet provider.

What is latency?

*Data from the Federal Communications Commission’s “Measuring Fixed Broadband—Eleventh Report.”

Latency (or ping rate) is the time required for a signal to travel from your computer to a remote server and back.

It’s a different measure of internet speed, and it’s just as important for the performance of your home network. High latency can lead to choppy video over Zoom, audio/video delays in livestreams, and laggy gameplay. Having low latency is particularly crucial in fast-paced online gaming because it enables quick response times and instantaneous action.

Get fiber internet for low latency—and faster online gaming

Out of all internet connection types, fiber internet has the lowest latency. Fiber-optic light signals work more efficiently than the electrical signals more commonly used with cable and DSL internet, which both have higher ping rates.

Cable has higher latency rates than fiber, while DSL’s latency is higher than cable. But the highest by far is satellite internet—which makes sense, considering its signal must travel all the way to a satellite orbiting dozens of miles above Earth and back.

Why is internet speed important?

Internet speed matters because it sets the parameters for what you can do online. Internet service providers sell plans that range anywhere from less than 1 Mbps (incredibly slow) to 5,000 Mbps (insanely fast), but most netizens would be happy with 100 Mbps download speeds.

Having a sufficiently fast internet or Wi-Fi speed makes it easier to do high-bandwidth activities (like streaming in 4K or downloading a large video game file) without worrying about long load times, buffering, or a dropped connection.

Fast internet also ensures you can multitask over Wi-Fi on the same device or use multiple Wi-Fi devices at the same time. In that way, a faster internet connection isn’t just about speed—it’s also about capacity. More bandwidth can efficiently support a variety of users and tasks at the same time.

Benefits of high-speed internet:

• Quick downloads
• Fast load times
• Lower chance of buffering or dropped connections
• Smoother connection on Zoom calls and livestreams
• Better support for multiple users on the same Wi-Fi network

Think of having fast Wi-Fi as using a pickup truck or SUV instead of a two-door sedan when you’re moving to a new apartment. With a larger vehicle, you can move more stuff to your place in fewer trips, saving you time and energy.

How is internet speed measured?

Internet speeds are measured in bits per second. A bit (short for binary digit) is the most basic unit of digital data. Internet service providers (ISPs) usually advertise their services using three metric bit measurements: Kbps, Mbps, or Gbps.

• Kbps means kilobits per second (1,000 bits per second)
• Mbps means megabits per second (1,000,000 bits per second)
• Gbps means gigabits per second (1,000,000,000 bits per second)

Mbps is the most common term you’ll see—most internet plans range in speed from 1–1,000 Mbps. A Wi-Fi speed represented in Kbps is usually super slow because it means it’s less than 1 Mbps.

Internet that reaches Gbps is often referred to as gigabit internet. While it’s not crucial for everybody to have gigabit internet speeds, it might benefit you if you live with a lot of people or regularly do high-bandwidth activities like streaming movies in 4K.

Is Wi-Fi speed the same as internet speed?

We’re splitting hairs a little bit here, but Wi-Fi speed is a slightly different thing than internet speed.

Wi-Fi as a term is often used interchangeably with internet (in fact, we do so on this very page). Technically, though, Wi-Fi refers specifically to a wireless internet connection carried over a router or mobile hotspot. Wi-Fi speeds can be slightly slower than a wired internet speed directly from your modem because a Wi-Fi signal can face interference over the airwaves, even in a contained area such as your home.

FAQ about internet speed

Sources

1. Molly Wood, Marketplace, “There’s a New Boss at the FCC. Let’s Talk About the Internet, Shall We?” May 5, 2021. Accessed February 8, 2022.
2. Federal Communications Commission, “Fixed Broadband Deployment: Area Summary,” June 2020. Accessed February 9, 2022.
3. David Pogue, Scientific American, “What WI-FI Stands For—and Other Wireless Questions Answered,” May 1, 2012. Accessed February 15, 2022.

Do you have the speed you need to work from home?

You probably have a workable internet connection already, but download our speed test app to see for sure where you stand. Who knows? Maybe you need an internet upgrade after all.

Do you have the speed you need to work from home?

You probably have a workable internet connection already, but run our speed test to see for sure where you stand. Who knows? Maybe you need an internet upgrade after all.

How much internet speed you need for Zoom and other video conferencing applications

Microsoft recommends 8Mbps of download speed to use Skype in a group video of seven or more people. Even if you don’t use Skype, 8Mbps per person ensures that your conferencing application has enough breathing room to function without kicking you out of the call mid-sentence.

Video calls require you to send and receive real-time video simultaneously, so there are a few internet speed factors you should keep in mind to get the most out of your remote meetings: download speed, upload speed, and latency.

Here’s more on each:

• Download speed affects how well your connection receives video from other people on the call.
• Upload speed affects how well your connection can send your video stream to others.
• Latency affects how well your connections synchronize with each other, and high latency can distort calls and cause lag.

Most video conferencing applications work best with less than 150 ms of latency. You can’t control your connection’s latency as directly as you can improve your speed by upgrading, but lower latency is better. Moreover, certain types of internet connections (like fiber) tend to have lower latency than others (like satellite internet).

Video calling apps don’t require very much speed. Most households with an internet connection can manage at least the minimum requirements. That’s great because it means we can all stay connected.

If you run into issues, your upload speed is the most likely culprit. Cable and DSL internet providers give customers much less upload speed than download. So even if your download speed is safely in the clear for video calls, your upload speed might not be up to par for big group calls. Turn off your video or switch to a wired connection for better results.

How much internet speed you need for email and chat applications

You need only about 1Mbps of download speed per instance for chat and email. 

However, you may need more bandwidth when you share photos or videos in conversations and when you download larger assets (like images and attachments) from emails. But don’t worry about basic text conversations hogging your bandwidth. 

Thankfully, you can carry on with your chat and email conversations while you work on other projects without worrying about internet interruptions. That’s because Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger, Slack, and similar applications usually don’t use a lot of bandwidth.

How much internet speed you need for web browsing

We recommend about 5Mbps of download speed for heavy web browsing and jumping between sites.

Browsing the internet doesn’t take too much data unless you visit pages with a lot of uncompressed images or video content. If you’re scrolling through social media, we suggest slightly higher speeds than our general recommendation, especially if you have video autoplay enabled. 

The average web page uses about 2MB (megabytes) of data. That translates to 16Mb (megabits) because there are eight bits in one byte. So if you want a whole web page to load within a second, 16Mbps of download speed would be great. 

You don’t always need to load all assets on a web page to start getting to the content you want, and loading a web page doesn’t take a continuous stream of data—you just download the content once, and that’s all you need as long as you keep that web page in your browser’s cache.

How much internet speed you need to stream media

We recommend 5Mbps of download speed at a minimum per person for streaming media.

If you stream music or have a show streaming in the background while you work (or someone else in your house is binge-watching all of The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime Video), make sure to factor that into how much bandwidth you need to work from home effectively. This is especially important for video services like YouTube or Netflix because video can be a bit of a bandwidth hog.

If you want to use YouTube or a streaming service like Netflix while working from home but run into bandwidth issues like buffering, check your video quality settings. YouTube videos can run on as little as 0.7Mbps at 360p, but they can use up to 20Mbps if you’re watching in 4K.

Similarly, standard-definition Netflix can work with as little as 0.5Mbps, but Netflix in 4K uses up to 25Mbps. And if you’re using it only as background noise, you don’t need 4K.

How much internet speed you need for sharing large files

We recommend at least 10Mbps of download and upload speeds for sharing large files.

While there are certain requirements for most things you do online, for jobs that necessitate a large amount of file sharing, the faster your internet is, the better. That’s not to say you absolutely need fast internet speeds to download and upload large files, but it makes things go much faster and more smoothly.

Here are a few examples of how long it would take to transfer various sizes of files using common internet speeds.

What else affects how much speed you need to work from home?

Need more speed?

Use our How Much Speed Do I Need tool below if you’re looking for more internet speed recommendations for online activities like gaming or streaming video.

What to do if your internet speeds aren’t fast enough

If you’re running into problems with your internet connection and slow speeds are to blame, the first thing you should do is run a wired speed test from your modem or ONT to rule out your internet connection. If it’s slower than advertised, contact your internet provider.

If your actual internet speed isn’t an issue, connect your work device to the router using an Ethernet cable and recheck your speeds. You shouldn’t see a major difference, but if you do, you may need a replacement. We have dozens of upgrade suggestions based on routers we’ve tested and reviewed.

But if your work device’s wired connection to the router checks out, try the following to alleviate your speed woes:

• Reposition the router to a better location
• Limit nonessential internet traffic during work hours
• Get a Wi-Fi extender and place it close to your work area
• Add another satellite if you have a mesh system
• Make sure each external is vertical if your router only covers one floor

FAQ about internet for work from home use

You don’t need fast speeds for social media—but it certainly helps.

Text- and image-based apps like Facebook work great even when you have a connection as slow as 5Mbps. However, you need much faster speeds (anywhere from 10Mbps to 100Mbps) to accommodate video-centered apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. You also need to make sure you have enough bandwidth to support other users on your Wi-Fi, who may be scrolling as well.

Curious to know how much internet speed you need to maintain your social media accounts? Take a look at our guide below for the deets.

Pro tip: Test your internet speeds

Not sure what speeds you’re getting on your current connection? Run our speed test to find out.

Slow speeds are fine for text and pics, but not for video

You can scroll and post on social media with internet speeds as slow as 5Mbps. Most social media applications don’t take up a whole lot of bandwidth, especially if you’re just posting text and pictures.

But video has become an increasingly central part of the social-media experience, thanks primarily to TikTok as well as offshoots like Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels. And you need relatively fast speeds (upwards of 10Mbps and ideally much faster) if you want to scroll rapid-fire without dealing with long load times or a frozen feed.

Social-media speed requirements

Fiber and cable internet work best

Fiber internet is the way to go for posting online, especially if you’re a power user or influencer. A fiber connection gets you the fastest speeds possible. More importantly, it’s the only internet connection that comes with symmetrical upload and download speeds.

As we discuss below, upload speeds are central to social media posting because you upload data any time you fire off a tweet, send a DM, or post online. Symmetrical speeds mean you get uploads that are just as fast as downloads—letting you post to your heart’s content with much less concern about slow upload times.

Fiber internet isn’t available everywhere—and for most people, a cable internet plan is just as solid a pick. Cable internet can get you download speeds up to 1,000Mbps and uploads usually anywhere from 10Mbps to 50Mbps. That’s plenty for everyday social posting.

Best internet plans for social media

Reliable upload speeds are important for posting online

Most of what you do on social media revolves around downloading content—for example, by scrolling TikTok or clicking through your friends’ Instagram Stories. But if you’re a regular poster, you also need to think about upload speeds.

Whether you’re sending a video to a friend on Snapchat or firing off a tweet on Twitter—er, sorry, X—you’re uploading data to the internet. You don’t necessarily need fast upload speeds, but you do want a reliable upstream connection to make sure you can post regularly without long load times or failed uploads.

Get 5G for posting on the phone

We recommend getting a 5G phone if you do most of your social media posts while on the phone.

Of course, it’s common to be on your phone when you’re posting TikTok, Instagram, and other apps. A 4G phone can certainly get the job done, but a 5G phone ensures you get the fastest speeds possible. 5G networks operate over higher radio frequencies than 4G networks, giving them a much higher capacity to carry data.

4G vs. 5G speeds

Faster data speeds make for much easier and smoother social media posting. You don’t have to worry as much about slow uploads or posts that fail to send. Having access to 5G is also very useful when you’re in a crowded place—such as a music festival or a sports event—where a congested network can make it difficult to even send DMs.

Disclaimers

More reading

• How Much Internet Speed Do You Need to Work From Home?
• Is Your Internet Good Enough for Working From Home?
• 13 Working from Home Stats You Should Know
• How to Set Up a Home Wi-Fi Network

Testing the speed of your internet connection is easy. Just download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.

This test will measure your download and upload speeds (as well as other information like latency, which you can see if you click on the details), which you can compare to your provider’s advertised speeds.

But there’s more to internet speed than just the numbers. We’ll walk you through all the ins and outs of measuring your internet speed and what your speed means for you.

Testing the speed of your internet connection is easy. Just click on the button below to take our speed test.

This test will measure your download and upload speeds (as well as other information like latency, which you can see if you click on the details), which you can compare to your provider’s advertised speeds.

But there’s more to internet speed than just the numbers. We’ll walk you through all the ins and outs of measuring your internet speed and what your speed means for you.

What an internet speed test measures

What does Mbps mean?

Let’s start with the basics. Internet speed is measured in bits (a single binary 1 or 0) per second. Internet connections can handle a lot of this data, so we usually talk about speeds in megabits per second (Mbps), which is a million bits per second. When speeds get really fast (1,000 Mbps or faster), we talk about them in gigabits per second (Gbps), which is a billion bits per second (1,000 Mbps = 1 Gbps). The fastest residential speeds currently available are in the multigigabit range, reaching as high as 5 Gbps (according to advertised speeds).

Download speed

Download speed, also referred to as bandwidth, is the speed most often advertised on internet plans. It measures how fast information from the internet gets to your device (for example, how fast your Netflix show loads). It’s usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps), although really fast connections are measured in gigabits per second (Gbps). Download speed is especially important for uses like watching high-quality video or downloading software.

Upload speed

Just as download speed refers to how fast data gets to your device, 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). It’s simply the bandwidth available on your connection going the opposite direction. For most connections, upload and download speed are usually different, but when you see internet plans advertised by speed, they’re usually focusing on just the download speed. This is important for content creators or people that work from home that need to upload their work to the internet, as well as for any sort of two-way video communication.

What is latency?

One other important measurement for internet speed is latency, or lag. Latency is very different from bandwidth, even though both deal with the speed of your connection. Latency refers to the time it takes for a signal to be sent from your computer to your service provider and come back. High latency can lead to more buffering on streaming video, but it’s much more disruptive in activities like video chat or online gaming. If you’ve ever experienced lag while playing an online game or watching a Twitch stream, latency is the statistic you need to worry about.

What determines your internet speed?

If there’s one thing that everyone knows about internet speed, it’s that not all connections are created equal. Most ISPs offer multiple plans with different speeds, but often these plans also use different technologies to connect you to the internet. Though some are significantly faster than others, there are also other pros and cons besides just speed.

Dial-up internet is the slowest kind of internet connection and is too slow for uses like streaming video. It can’t hit broadband speeds, usually topping out around 50 kbps (only 0.05 Mbps), though depending on the service, it can be much slower. It’s usually pretty cheap, but there are much better low-cost options these days.

Satellite internet uses a satellite signal to wirelessly connect to your home. Satellite can give you the broadband speeds necessary to do things like stream video, but it’s still a relatively slow and expensive option. Satellite internet speeds range from 5 Mbps to 25 Mbps. Also, since your signal has to reach a satellite in orbit, it has incredibly high latency. The upside is that you can get it almost anywhere in the US, even in remote areas.

DSL, or digital subscriber line, uses existing telephone networks, but it achieves much higher speeds than dial-up, anywhere from 0.5 Mbps to 75 Mbps. It’s not much faster than satellite and its speed is affected by the distance to your ISP’s central office.

4G LTE home internet uses existing 4G cellular networks to deliver internet to your home. Although it uses the same technologies as your cell phone, 4G home internet generally has faster speeds, lower costs, and more data. Much like with cell service, speeds can vary depending on location and network traffic, but tend to fall between 10 and 50 Mbps.

Cable internet uses copper wires, just like cable TV. Cable offers incredibly fast speeds, between 25 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps), but it also has a few drawbacks. Connections are generally shared between neighbors, which means cable networks get congested during peak hours. Cable also offers much higher download speeds than upload speeds. This isn’t an issue with cable TV, since broadcasts go only one direction, but it can be a problem for some online activities on cable internet.

Fiber internet connects you to the web via fiber-optic cables. Fiber is the fastest and most reliable kind of internet service, with speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 2,000 Mbps (2 Gbps). It also has the benefit of symmetrical upload speeds. In other words, your uploads are just as fast as your downloads.

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

Testing your speed is easy, but how do you get the most accurate measurement of your internet connection? Here are a few things you can do to get the most accurate results:

Pause automatic downloads

First, make sure you’re not downloading any large files in the background. 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. Close or quit all apps on your computer. You might still have some background processes using the internet but nothing that would make a big impact.

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. If you suspect you might have someone stealing your Wi-Fi or some other freeloaders on your network, you can also change your network password.

Check for wireless router issues

Many people argue that you should always plug your computer directly into your router with an Ethernet cable before you test your internet speed. While this does give you a more accurate measure of what your ISP is giving you, it doesn’t help much if you’re still getting slow speeds where you normally use your devices.

We suggest that you check your internet speed where you most often use your computer. If the speed is less than what 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 exactly how many Mbps you’re getting over your internet connection, what do you do next? First off, you need to make sure you can interpret your results. There’s no need to make an angry call to your ISP because you’re paying for gigabit internet but only getting upload speeds of 30 Mbps. If you have a cable connection, that’s perfectly normal, and it probably still has plenty of upload speed for your needs.

Interpreting download speeds

The most important number from your speed test is your download speed. That’s what’s going to determine how fast files download, how many devices your network can support, and how high the quality of your video can be.

If you have DSL, you should expect your speed to be a bit lower than advertised due to your distance from the central hub, but there’s also no way to improve it unless you move your whole house closer (or switch to a different type of connection).

If you have cable internet and your result is low, you’re probably experiencing congestion from the other homes in your area. Try testing your speed at another time when your neighbors are less likely to be online. If you’re hitting the proper download speeds outside of peak-use times, there’s nothing wrong with your connection. That’s just how cable works.

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 down 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. Some lag issues can’t be fixed because that would mean changing the laws of physics. Even going at near the speed of light, it takes time for a signal to reach a server in South Korea.

Other sources of lag can be dealt with. 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 your ISP promised, 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.

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 their 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 ISP, 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 experienced 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 us connect to our home networks over Wi-Fi these days, so interference is always a possibility. Most of the time, this can be fixed by simply moving your router to a better position, but sometimes it might require changing the settings in your router’s menu.

Get a better internet plan

If, after all this, your internet speed is still not enough to meet your needs, it might be time to upgrade to a faster plan, or simply find a better ISP.

See disclaimers at bottom of page.

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

Satellite internet isn’t known for being the fastest or most reliable way to connect to the internet, but there’s no need for satellite customers to suffer more than they have to. Although it’s never going to get the same performance as other connections, there are a few things you can do to get a better experience with your satellite internet.

Getting a Wi-Fi booster

A Wi-Fi booster or extender is a type of repeater that expands the range of a wireless network by rebroadcasting the signal from the router. This means your connection will bounce from your router to the repeater and then to your device, extending your network range and sidestepping obstacles to reach the farthest corners of your house.

Most satellite internet customers connect their devices over Wi-Fi, just like with any other internet connection. Because satellite internet has relatively low download speeds and is prone to interference, it’s easy not to notice when the problem is actually your home wireless network, rather than your internet connection.

If your internet is slow or inconsistent in some rooms of your home, while consistently performing better in others, then your Wi-Fi is likely the problem. You can also try plugging a device directly into your router with an Ethernet cable.

If your Wi-Fi is the problem, a Wi-Fi extender is an easy way to boost the signal to the rest of your house. Our top pick for satellite customers is the TP-Link RE315. If you want to compare your options for yourself, there are a few specific things that satellite customers should keep in mind.

Things not to worry about

Some of the most important features of Wi-Fi extenders aren’t that important for satellite connections. Things that matter less to satellite customers include the following:

• Maximum throughput
• Multiuser support
• Multiple data streams

Maximum throughput: Throughput is usually the most important feature of a router or Wi-Fi extender because it determines how much bandwidth devices on your network can actually make use of; however, modern devices are designed with gigabit and multigigabit connections in mind. Most satellite connections are well below 100 Mbps and even Starlink tops out at 250 Mbps. This means that even the slowest modern extenders should be more than capable of keeping up with your connection.

Multiuser support: Many modern extenders and routers, especially those that meet the Wi-Fi 6 standard, incorporate technologies like OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access) and MU-MIMO (multiuser multiple input, multiple output) that allow you to connect more devices to your home network and more efficiently manage these devices to avoid network congestion.

Satellite speeds aren’t high enough to support dozens of connected devices, even if your network can handle them. Even if your Wi-Fi extender isn’t the best at multitasking, the bottleneck is still going to be your connection, not your home network.

Multiple data streams: Spatial streams are related to the previous two points, as multiple streams can improve data rates to a single client device or among multiple devices using MU-MIMU. It’s also easier to boast that your router has more streams than the competition than it is to get into a detailed comparison of multiplexing technologies, so the number of data streams is often slapped right on the front of the box.

Again, this isn’t very relevant to satellite customers because the major bottleneck is still going to be the satellite connection. A Ford F-150 might have way more payload capacity than a Mini Cooper, but if the most you’re ever going to haul is your weekly groceries, both vehicles will do the job equally well.

Things to look for

The important things for satellite customers to look for in a Wi-Fi extender aren’t unique, though certain attributes do carry a bit more importance:

• Range
• Price
• Ease of use
• Wi-Fi 6 compliance

Range: Since the whole point of a Wi-Fi extender is to get a strong signal throughout your entire house, it’s important that the device you pick does the job. You can also extend the range of your Wi-Fi by setting up a mesh Wi-Fi system, but these are generally more expensive and more complicated to set up, so a single Wi-Fi extender gives you better value.

Price: Price is a factor when buying any sort of equipment, but due to the low speed requirements of a satellite connection, price is a much bigger factor. There’s no point getting a fancy device with cutting-edge features if those features aren’t going to make an impact on your online experience.

Ease of use: Since you don’t need all the bells and whistles with a satellite connection, you might as well go for a straightforward solution that addresses your specific needs. Many extenders are small devices that plug straight into an outlet like an air freshener or a night light, often with a pass-through outlet so you still have two free plugs. Many extenders will share your router’s SSID, so it looks like you have one big home wireless network, rather than two networks in different parts of the house.

In general, you should find an extender that gives you internet access throughout your home in the most convenient way possible. Since you don’t have to worry about primary features like speed, you can afford to be picky when it comes to the little things.

Wi-Fi 6 compliance: Normally Wi-Fi 6 compatibility is one of the first things we look at in a wireless device, but since most of the big innovations of Wi-Fi 6 are about improving bandwidth and managing huge networks, most of that added value is lost on a slower satellite connection.

Wi-Fi 6 does still have some features that are useful to satellite customers. Wi-Fi 6 networks can improve the battery life of your devices, increase the security of your home network, and generally keep all your devices running more smoothly. It’s not a must-have for those with satellite internet, but it’s a package of handy features that might be enough to tip the scales in your decision.

For a more detailed look at these devices, check out our review of the Best Wi-Fi Extenders.

Troubleshooting speed problems

Wi-Fi boosters will help you fix weak signals or dead zones in your house, but they can’t increase your internet speed. If you’re getting slower than expected speeds, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot satellite-specific issues.

Check your monthly data

Satellite plans have some of the most restrictive data caps of any internet type, so it’s very easy to go over your monthly allotment of data. Once you’ve passed your data cap, your data is deprioritized, which can drop your speed dramatically, especially during peak usage hours. If you notice a sudden drop in your internet speed, check your data to make sure you haven’t passed your limit.

Remove physical obstructions

To maintain a strong connection, your satellite dish needs to have a clear view of the south sky where your provider’s satellite is located. Physical obstructions, like a fallen branch, can block or interfere with your signal. Snow buildup on the dish itself can also interfere with your connection. Be extremely careful when removing snow or debris so as not to injure yourself or damage your dish.

Look for damage or antenna misalignment

Satellite dishes can be damaged in storms or high winds. Wind can also turn them just enough that they are no longer in alignment with the orbiting satellite. If you can see obvious damage or notice that your antenna has moved out of alignment, contact your provider to replace or realign your equipment.

Wait out bad weather

Satellite internet is uniquely vulnerable to interference from the weather. Rain, snow, extreme heat, high winds, and even sun transit can temporarily interfere with your internet connection. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do during bad weather if you’re experiencing interference, though hybrid satellite connections like Hughesnet Fusion are slightly more resilient to this kind of interference due to having a backup network to fall back on if the other is experiencing issues.

Troubleshoot other problems

In addition to these satellite-specific issues, satellite internet can encounter the same problems as most other internet technologies. If you’re still having problems with your connection, check out some of our other troubleshooting articles for possible solutions.

Alternatives to satellite

If satellite internet doesn’t provide you with the speed or reliability that you need, there may be other options available, even in rural areas. Even if these other connections offer slower speeds than your satellite provider, there are other benefits to non-satellite internet besides speed.

Much like satellite, DSL is slow and often overpriced when compared to other internet options; however, because it’s a wired connection, it has many advantages over satellite, such as lower latency, more (or unlimited) data, and a much more reliable connection. And although DSL plans can be overpriced when compared to similar speeds offered by cable or fiber, they’re still much cheaper on average than satellite.

Fixed wireless internet uses a ground-based system of antennas to connect people to the internet, especially in areas with no physical infrastructure for DSL or cable. As a wireless connection, it deals with many of the same issues as satellite, but they’re much more manageable. You’ll usually get faster speeds, more data, and less interference.

4G home internet uses the same networks as cellular phones to deliver home internet. It’s widely available, has higher data caps than satellite, and has low monthly costs. 4G LTE speeds are fairly similar to satellite speeds, but with much lower latency.

Boosting Satellite Internet FAQ

How much speed do you need to stream music?

The amount of internet speed you need per music stream depends on the quality. The lowest streaming rate is around 32 kilobits per second (Kbps)—a low-quality stream like talk radio—while the highest is around 9,216Kbps (9.126Mbps).

A good rule of thumb is to double those numbers for each stream, so your music has plenty of breathing room. For example, if your audio stream is 9,216Kbps, a speed of 18,432Kbps (18.43Mbps) should be more than sufficient.

Music streaming speed requirements at a glance

Here’s a general list of internet speed requirements for Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and more.

Music streaming data requirements

Here we will break down the bitrates and recommended speed requirements based on quality or tier for each music streaming service. We’ll also provide more detail in regards to sample rates and bit depth for curious audiophiles.

Yes, upgrading to a faster internet plan should improve your Wi-Fi speed if your provider isn’t giving you the speed you need, but that’s not always the actual issue. If your Wi-Fi is slow, there are two possible bottlenecks: your internet service provider (ISP) or your router. Let’s take a look at how to deal with each type of problem.

How fast is my Wi-Fi?

The first step is figuring out how fast your Wi-Fi is compared to the advertised speed of your internet plan. To do this, download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results, and see how fast your internet is on your phone.

If your test result is slower than the speeds promised by your internet plan, try plugging your device directly into the router using an ethernet cable. If this fixes your problem, the issue is probably with your router. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase the speed of your router.

If you’re still getting low speeds, or if the speed you’re paying for just isn’t enough, it might be time to upgrade to a faster plan.

The first step is figuring out how fast your Wi-Fi is compared to the advertised speed of your internet plan. To do this, set up your computer where you normally work and take an internet speed test.

If your test result is slower than the speeds promised by your internet plan, try plugging your device directly into the router using an ethernet cable. If this fixes your problem, the issue is probably with your router. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase the speed of your router.

If you’re still getting low speeds, or if the speed you’re paying for just isn’t enough, it might be time to upgrade to a faster plan.

How to speed up your Wi-Fi router

There are a few things you can do to speed up your Wi-Fi router. The first thing to do is simply turn it off and on again, also known as power cycling, which will often fix your Wi-Fi problems.

The next easiest thing to do is to try moving your router or your other Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi signals can be blocked by thick walls or floors, so moving devices around so that they have the most direct line of sight to the router can improve signal quality. If line of sight and dead zones are a constant problem, you can also set up a mesh router system to ensure strong Wi-Fi throughout your home.

You can also adjust your router’s settings to improve its performance. Many routers have apps that will allow you to monitor and control the devices on your wireless network. For more information, check out our article on how to improve your Wi-Fi speed.

It’s also worth noting that even if your router is working perfectly but is slower than the internet you’re paying for, you’re not going to be able to take advantage of that speed over Wi-Fi. If this is the case, check out our list of the fastest routers for gigabit internet to make sure you’re able to use the speeds you’re paying for.

Troubleshooting a slow connection

If your router isn’t the problem but you’re still getting lower speeds than you expect, there might be a problem with your internet connection. Before you start looking for a new ISP, it’s worth checking to see if this problem has an easy fix like one of these:

• Power cycling your router
• Moving your router
• Avoiding peak hours

There are also more involved fixes that can improve your speed. Different types of connections can slow down for different reasons. Follow our troubleshooting guide to see if it’s an issue that you can fix yourself.

How to upgrade your internet connection

If your internet connection suffers from problems you can’t fix yourself or it’s working correctly but you still need more speed, it’s probably time to upgrade.

Before you crack open your piggy bank, know that faster internet doesn’t always mean paying more. Often simply switching from a slower type of connection to a faster one (like switching from satellite to DSL or from cable to fiber) will give you faster speeds and more stable connections for the same price you were paying before.

Before you make a decision, be sure to check out all the ISPs in your area with our zip tool above and see which ones offer the speeds you want for the best value.

Make sure your router can keep up with your new connection

If you do upgrade your internet plan, make sure your Wi-Fi router is at least as fast as your new download speed. If you got your router from your ISP, this shouldn’t be a problem. But if you bought your own, make sure that it can keep up with the new connection speed or you’ll be back at square one. For example, if you have a gigabit internet connection, you need a gigabit router to take advantage of that speed.

FAQ about Wi-Fi speed

A speed test is the measuring tape of your internet connection—a handy tool no netizen should live without.

Speed tests give you a reading of your download speeds, upload speeds, and latency. You can use a speed test to determine if your internet connection is fast enough for activities like streaming and video calls, and you can run speed tests to figure out if your internet provider delivers your plan’s promised speeds.

There are tons of speed test tools available to use for free online, but some are better than others. Of course, we here at HighSpeedInternet.com favor our own speed test the most. But we’ve used a ton of other speed tests as well, so read on for our guide to the best internet speed tests.

Jump to: Test your internet speed | How to take a speed test | Best speed test tools | How does a speed test work? | How much internet speed do you need? | FAQ

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Test your internet speed

Did we mention we have our own speed test? It’s pretty cool—give it a try!

Test your speed anywhere with a speed test app

Download our free speed test app (iOS and Android) to take our speed test on your phone. The app is ad-free and can measure Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, and LTE speeds from anywhere. Another advantage of testing your speed from an app is the detailed test result history.

How to run a speed test

You can run a speed test simply by clicking the button on whatever test you’re using. To get the most accurate results, make sure to close out apps and browser windows so you don’t tax your bandwidth with unnecessary traffic. You can even plug your computer directly into your router, gateway, or mesh system via Ethernet.

If you’re running a speed test over Wi-Fi, make sure your device is connected to the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band, and you’re within a few feet of the router or gateway. The 2.4 GHz band is guaranteed to give you a false reading on plans under 200Mbps, so keep that in mind. Routers, gateways, and mesh systems with band steering enabled will likely give you an incorrect reading, too.

Also, internet speeds tend to fluctuate—you’ll never get a single, fixed speed—so it’s best to run multiple tests to get a broader understanding of your internet’s capabilities. You can also run tests at different times throughout the day to see how your download and upload speeds fluctuate around factors like more users and increased traffic.

Compare the best speed tests

Most user friendly: HighSpeedInternet.com Speed Test

Obviously we’re biased, but we love our test because it’s easy to use and full of helpful info. Drop-down FAQs give you insights into how the speed test works and how your internet’s performance compares with other users in your same state and with your same internet provider. You can’t choose a test server like you can on Ookla’s test, but if you’re shopping for internet, you can take a look at a detailed list of internet providers serving your area to see what other plans and speeds are available. We also have an app that gives you a simplified readout of your download and upload speeds.

Most customizable: Ookla Speed Test

Ookla’s speed test is the industry standard—fitting for a brand whose homepage is literally speedtest.net. Ookla’s test is reliable and packed with useful information. You can keep a record of all the tests you take if you sign up for an account, and the desktop browser version lets you change test servers to come up with more nuanced diagnostics. The app comes with a free VPN, and you can buy a premium, ad-free Ookla app for a dollar, which may be worth the investment, considering both the app and browser version can get cluttered with banner ads.

Most practical: M-Lab Speed Test

Type “internet speed test” or “Wi-Fi speed test” into Google, and this one pops up. You can run a test instantly without even going to a website. This open-source test, designed by Google-backed Measurement Lab, archives all its data and makes it available online for public perusal. You can even use M-Lab’s source code to make your own testing platform. (That’s how HighSpeedInternet.com made its speed test.) The main drawback is it doesn’t have the advanced features you see on Ookla or Speedof.me’s tests, like the ability to choose a test server or track multiple tests over time.

Most fun: Meteor

This app-only test from data analytics company Opensignal does the same thing every other speed test does, but the graphics can’t be beaten. A yellow meteor thing that flies across the screen in different directions when the test runs, and a smiling, Clippy-style virtual assistant you can tap on to let you know how good your speeds are. It’s not exactly scientific, and we wish there was a browser version, but still—who knew a speed test could be this fun?!

Most interesting: Speedof.me

Unlike the other tests on this list, this one measures your connection’s consistency in addition to your speeds—color-coded graphs track fluctuation in your download and upload speeds throughout the test. Similar to Ookla, Speedof.me keeps track of all the tests you run, letting you spot trends over time and identify potential weaknesses in your connection.

How does a speed test work?

A speed test is an online tool that measures your internet connection’s download speed, upload speed, and latency (ping rate).

Speed tests measure upload and download speeds by connecting to a nearby server and sending chunks of sample data back and forth to see how long the transfers take. Meanwhile, the speed test calculates the time it takes to send a message to the server and receive a reply, giving you a measure of your latency (or ping rate).

Here are some key terms to help you understand how a speed test works:

• Download speed: The speed at which your device receives data from the internet, usually measured in Mbps or Gbps.
• Upload speed: The speed at which your device sends data to the internet, usually measured in Mbps or Gbps.
• Latency (Ping): The time (measured in milliseconds) it takes for a signal to travel from your device to an internet server and back. Lower latency means your connection has a better response time for activities like gaming and livestreams.
• IP address: Internet protocol address—the unique numerical code that identifies an internet-connected device and its geographic location.
• Server location: The location of the server you connect to in order to run the speed test.

How much internet speed do you need?

You need enough internet speed to accomplish your usual online tasks with minimal slowdowns. You also want a fast enough speed to support other users on your Wi-Fi. Use our “How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?” tool to figure out the best bandwidth for your abode.

Everyone has different Wi-Fi speed needs. Developers and Instagram influencers likely want the fastest download and upload speeds possible, but regular folks can get by with a slower connection if they don’t do much other than check email and stream a few TV shows at night.

Here are some simple rules to follow to make sure you’re getting the speeds you need:

• More Wi-Fi users require more bandwidth. If you’re sharing your internet with a lot of people, you want a faster download speed to ensure everyone gets the reliable service they need.
• Video calls benefit from faster upload speeds. Upload speeds are generally slower on internet connections, but get a plan with faster upload speeds (or, even better, symmetrical Wi-Fi speeds) if you spend a lot of time making video calls, uploading to cloud servers, or hosting livestreams.
• Fiber internet is always better (if you can get it). Even the slowest fiber internet plan is still fast and reliable. Fiber-optic cable is extremely efficient, and you get symmetrical speeds with a fiber connection.
• You don’t always need gigabit internet. Some internet providers like to encourage users to get the fastest speeds possible, but gigabit internet can be pricey—and most people don’t need it. Save your money with an internet plan that meets your speed needs and no more.

How to get faster internet

You can get a faster internet connection by upgrading your plan or switching to a new internet provider. You can also get positive results with home remedies, like moving your router to a more centralized location in your home.

Here’s a quick breakdown of ways to boost your bandwidth.

• Upgrade your internet plan. Many providers offer multiple tiers of internet speeds, so check with your internet provider to see whether you can pay more for faster service.
• Update your router. A healthy router ensures that you get the fastest speeds possible on your plan. Aim to get a router that meets Wi-Fi standards of 802.11ac or 802.11ax, the latter better known as Wi-Fi 6.
• Move your router. Your router is the heart of your Wi-Fi’s circulatory system—so make sure it’s in a central area in your home where the wireless signal can travel easily. Keep it out of closets and away from obstructive objects and electric appliances.
• Plug into Ethernet. Skip the Wi-Fi signal entirely and plug your computer directly into your router with an Ethernet cable to reduce the chance of signal interference and establish a more direct line to your internet connection.
• Get fiber internet. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: fiber internet is the best bet for all netizens’ needs. It’s not available everywhere, but if you can get it, we highly recommend it.
• Switch to a new internet provider. If you can get faster speeds from a different internet provider, so be it. Run a search with your zip code below to see what’s available in your area.

FAQ about internet speed tests

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 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.

You can use Zoom even if you have a really slow internet connection. In fact, you can make a group call on Zoom and other video conferencing apps with as little as 1.5 Mbps. Still, faster Wi-Fi always gives you a smoother connection.

See our guide below to learn what internet speed you need for Zoom. We calculated how fast your Wi-Fi should be and have lots of recommendations on how to improve Zoom over a slow connection.

You need a minimum internet speed of 0.6–1.5 Mbps to use Zoom.

That’s a baseline estimate, but you might need faster speeds depending on what you’re doing. Group video calls in the highest resolution possible call for at least 2.5 Mbps upload and download speeds—although that’s still not very fast and easy to get from basic home internet plans.

*Data from bandwidth requirements listed on Zoom’s website.

**Zoom uses the term “high-quality video,” which doesn’t describe any industry-standard video resolution, but we interpret it to mean standard resolution of 480p.

When you budget out your speed requirements, you need to factor in what else you’re doing while you’re on Zoom. In our own experience, we’ve experienced buffering, delays with video and audio, and other interruptions on Zoom calls with speeds as fast as 15 Mbps.

If you’re using Zoom with the most minimal speeds, make sure to close other applications and tell others in the house to minimize their internet use during your call so you can get a better connection.

How much upload speed do you need for Zoom?

Is your internet fast enough for Zoom?

Internet providers with the best Zoom speeds

There are a lot of internet providers that can get you Zoom’s minimum speeds, but we wanted to highlight some of our favorites. Xfinity is probably your best bet because it has a wide network, incredibly fast speeds, and great customer ratings. But fiber providers like Google Fiber and AT&T give you the added advantage of having very fast upload speeds, ensuring your video feed stays strong.

You can find more great providers on our fastest internet providers guide. Also, make sure to run a search to see which of these providers are available in your area.

Speed requirements for other videoconferencing apps

Data from Skype, Slack, BlueJeans, Cisco Webex, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams speed requirements pages.

You need a minimum of at least 500 Kbps (0.5 Mbps) to make video calls on videoconferencing apps other than Zoom.

The internet speed requirements on apps like Skype, Slack, and Google Meet are pretty much the same as Zoom’s requirements. You don’t need a lot of bandwidth to make the apps work, but a faster internet speed reduces the chance of frustrations like poor connections or dropped calls.

How to troubleshoot your Zoom connection

Close other applications

If you’re on a slow internet connection, multitasking on other applications while Zoom is open can slow down your Zoom connection. To bring your Zoom call back to normal, close out your email, web browser, and any other applications or windows you might have open.

Restart your modem and router

The quickest and easiest way to address slow internet at home is by restarting your modem and router. Unplug both devices from the wall, let them rest for a minute or so, then plug them back in. A simple reset clears away potential bugs and programming cobwebs that may be weighing down your equipment.

Use mobile data or a hotspot

Has your home internet cut out? Simply whip out your cell phone and log on to Zoom with your mobile data. Most cell phones also have a built-in hotspot feature, so if your cellular plan allows it, you can switch on your phone’s hotspot to create Wi-Fi access for your laptop or desktop computer.

Switch off “Enable HD” and “Touch up my appearance”

Zoom’s “Enable HD” and “Touch up my appearance” features both take extra bandwidth and data to function, so you can get better performance by switching them off.

To turn them off, head to the video settings menu by clicking the tiny, upward-pointing arrow next to the Start Video button in the bottom left corner of your screen. There you can click off the check marks on both features.

Turn off the Wi-Fi on other devices

The more people who are using your Wi-Fi connection, the more strain it puts on your home internet speed. If your kids or roommates are streaming video or playing games on their devices while you’re in a Zoom meeting, ask them to switch it off so you can get a better connection.

Move your device closer to your router (or move your router to a better place in your house)

You may be in a part of the house with a Wi-Fi dead zone, where the router’s signal can’t reach your device. If that’s the case, take a seat on a couch or a chair within eyeshot of your router to improve the signal.

To improve the Wi-Fi signal, you could also move your router so it’s in a more centralized position in your house. Place it on a table or shelf, away from metal objects, microwaves, and other obstacles. If your home has multiple floors or a complex layout, consider investing in a mesh wireless system or long-range router.

Connect your internet through Ethernet

Instead of relying on a Wi-Fi signal, you can plug your computer directly into your router with an Ethernet cable. That gives you faster speeds and more reliable performance.

Upgrade your internet plan—or switch providers

If you’re still having trouble, consider calling your internet provider to upgrade your internet speed. Or, if other options are available in your area, you can switch to a new provider that gives you faster speeds and better performance overall.

Type in your zip code below to see what types of Wi-Fi packages are available in your area:

How much data do you need to use Zoom?

*Zoom uses the term “high-quality video,” which doesn’t describe any industry-standard video resolution, but we interpret it to mean standard resolution of 480p.

You need approximately 500 MB to 1 GB of data to have an hour-long video call with one person on Zoom. Group video calls need between 800 MB to over 2 GB of data per hour, depending on the video quality.

Even though using Zoom doesn’t require very fast speeds, it can use quite a bit of your data. Drawing from our knowledge of the difference between megabits and megabytes, we did some calculations to get a baseline estimate. We found that you can end up using anywhere from 0.5 GB to a whopping 2.5 GB per hour on a Zoom call with video enabled.

The chart below gives you an idea of some other popular tasks and how much data they devour. Zoom doesn’t appear to need as much as streaming services like Netflix—but keep in mind that your Zoom data usage could vary depending on the internet you have and the device you’re on.

*Estimates based on Armstrong’s data usage calculator.

How do you use less data on Zoom?

The best way to use less internet data while on a Zoom call is to switch off your video.

If you have strict data restrictions on your internet or mobile plan, using Zoom as an audio-only VoIP service vastly reduces your data usage. By our calculations, voice calls eat up only around 31.5 MB of data per hour—a fraction of how much you would use when your video is switched on. Screen sharing with no video uses 22.5–67.5 MB per hour.

Of course, you won’t have to worry about that if you have unlimited data on your internet or mobile plan. Type in your zip code below to find a provider with all the GB you need.

Zoom FAQ

How do you turn off HD video on Zoom?

You can turn off HD video on Zoom by clicking on the Video Settings menu and checking off the box for HD under the Camera menu. Access Video Settings by clicking on the small, upward-pointing arrow next to the Start Video button at the bottom left corner of your screen.

Is 25 Mbps fast enough for Zoom?

An internet speed of 25 Mbps is fast enough for Zoom. That’s enough bandwidth to support one-on-one calls, group calls, and all other Zoom tasks in HD resolution. If you’re sharing Wi-Fi with four or more people, you may want a faster speed to ensure a smooth Zoom connection.