An internet speed test measures your actual download speed, upload speed, and latency at the moment of the test. To get meaningful results, you need to run the test correctly - otherwise interference from Wi-Fi, other devices, or VPNs will give you a misleading picture.
How to Get Accurate Speed Test Results
- Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible. Wi-Fi adds interference and can limit speeds 20-50% below your ISP's actual delivery.
- Close all other apps and browser tabs. Streaming, cloud backup, or software updates will consume bandwidth during the test.
- Pause your VPN during the test if you want to see your true ISP speed. A VPN adds overhead that lowers measured throughput.
- Disconnect other devices or at least pause their network activity.
- Run the test using our Speed Test, powered by speedtest.now.
- Run it three times and average the results. Single tests can vary due to momentary congestion.
What to Look for in Results
| Metric | Good | Potential Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Download speed | Near your plan's advertised speed | Less than 80% of advertised: contact ISP |
| Upload speed | At least 10 Mbps for home use | Under 5 Mbps: video calls will struggle |
| Latency (ping) | Under 20ms for gaming, under 50ms otherwise | Over 100ms: routing or congestion issue |
| Jitter | Under 5ms | Over 20ms: connection instability |
People Also Ask
- How do I check my internet speed correctly?
- Use a wired connection, close background apps, pause VPN, and use a trusted speed test. Run it multiple times and average the results for accuracy.
- Is 40 Mbps slow or fast?
- It depends on use. For a single user streaming or browsing, 40 Mbps is comfortable. For a household of 4 streaming simultaneously, it may be tight. 100 Mbps is a comfortable modern standard.
Related: What affects speed | Good speed benchmarks | Speed Test