How to Test Your Internet Speed Correctly

Before you test

• Pause any downloads, streaming, video calls, or cloud backups on every device connected to your network.
• If possible, connect the testing device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable -- this removes Wi-Fi as a variable entirely.
• If testing over Wi-Fi, stand close to the router, with no walls or large obstacles between you and it.
• Test using a web browser rather than an old or rarely-updated app.

Recommended speed test tools

• fast.com -- simple download/upload test run by Netflix, no app required.
• speedtest.net -- widely used, also reports ping/latency and lets you pick a test server.
• wifiman.com -- useful for comparing Wi-Fi vs. wired results on the same device.

Running the test

1. Open a speed-testing website in your browser -- see the recommended tools above, and try more than one for a fair comparison.
2. Run the test at least twice, a few minutes apart.
3. Note both the download and upload speed, and the "ping"/latency figure.
4. Repeat at a different time of day (e.g. once in the afternoon, once in the evening) to see if results vary with time.

Understanding your results

• Compare your result to your subscribed package speed, not to a number you've seen advertised elsewhere.
• A small variation (10-20% below your package speed) is generally normal, since speeds can vary with network conditions and time of day.
• A result consistently and significantly below your package speed, tested by Ethernet cable with nothing else running, is worth reporting to your provider.
• High "ping"/latency (over roughly 100ms) can make browsing and calls feel slow even when download speed looks fine -- mention this too if you contact support.