Internet Speed Test
Heads up: the test downloads and uploads data, which can use roughly 50 to 500 MB on a fast connection. Avoid it on limited mobile data.
How this speed test works
When you press start, your browser talks to Cloudflare's speed test servers. First it sends a handful of tiny requests to measure how long a round trip takes. Then it pulls data down for about eight seconds using four connections at once, and pushes data up the same way. The speed shown is the average over that time, after a short warm-up so the first second doesn't drag the number down.
What the four numbers mean
Download is how fast data reaches you. It matters for streaming, browsing and downloading files. Upload is how fast you can send data, which matters for video calls, cloud backups and sharing large files. Ping is the delay in milliseconds before a request gets a reply, and it is what you feel in games and calls. Jitter is how much that delay jumps around. A low, steady ping feels better than a slightly faster connection that keeps stuttering.
What is a good internet speed?
It depends on what you do. These are rough guides, not hard rules:
- Browsing and email: around 5 Mbps is enough.
- HD video on one screen: roughly 5 to 10 Mbps.
- 4K streaming: about 25 Mbps per stream.
- Video calls: a few Mbps both ways, so upload matters.
- Online gaming: speed matters less than ping. Under 50 ms feels fine for most games.
If several people share the connection, add their needs together.
Why your result is lower than your plan
Plans are sold as "up to" a speed, and there are plenty of reasons you won't see it. Wi-Fi is slower than a cable, and distance and walls make it worse. Many routers also run two bands, and the 2.4 GHz one is much slower than 5 GHz. A VPN, a busy household and a very old router all take their share. And watch the units: speed tests show megabits per second, while file downloads show megabytes per second. Divide the Mbps figure by 8 to compare.
How to get a more accurate result
Close other tabs and pause any downloads or updates. If you can, plug in with a cable for one run and compare it with Wi-Fi. Run the test two or three times, and try at different times of day. If the cable result is fine but Wi-Fi is poor, the problem is your Wi-Fi and not your provider. Our guide on fixing slow Wi-Fi goes through what to try next.
Frequently asked questions
Is this internet speed test free?
Yes. It is free, needs no app or sign-up, and works in any modern browser on a laptop, desktop, tablet or phone.
Do you store my speed test results?
No. The result is shown on your screen and is not saved by this site. The test sends data to Cloudflare's speed test servers, so they see your IP address like any website you visit.
Why is my result different from another speed test?
Different tools use different servers and methods. This one uses Cloudflare's network, so the number can differ from Ookla or your provider's tool. Run it two or three times and compare the pattern, not a single number.
How much data does the test use?
On a fast connection it can use roughly 50 to 500 MB, because it downloads and uploads for several seconds each. Avoid running it on a limited mobile data plan.
Testing your keyboard too? Try the Keyboard Tester.