Why is my speed lower than what I pay for?

Wifi, distance from the router, the device, and other people on the network all reduce real-world speed below the headline plan figure. Browser-based tests also have some overhead. For the truest reading, test on a wired connection with nothing else running, and compare a few runs rather than trusting a single number.

What is latency and why does it matter?

Latency is the delay before data starts moving, measured in milliseconds. Lower is better. It matters more than raw speed for video calls and gaming, where a laggy but otherwise fast connection still feels slow. A good home connection is usually well under 50 milliseconds to a nearby server.

Does this measure upload speed too?

This test focuses on download speed and latency, which are what most people want to check and what affects streaming and browsing. Upload speed is measured differently and depends heavily on your plan; if you upload large files or stream from home, your provider lists the upload figure separately.

Do you collect or store anything from the test?

No personal data is collected. Unlike the other tools here, a speed test does have to move real data over your connection to measure it, so it downloads a block of throwaway bytes from a fast server and times it. That sample is discarded immediately and nothing about your test is kept or tied to you.

Internet Speed Test

Measure how fast your connection actually is. The test downloads data in your browser and reports your speed in megabits per second, along with the latency to the server. Run it on wifi and on a cable, or in different rooms, to see where your connection slows down. Free, no app, no sign-up.

No app to install
100% free
Nothing is recorded
No sign-up, no email
Works on any device

Read the guide: How to Test Your Internet Speed

Download speed & latency

Ready

Close other downloads for the most accurate reading.

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Download (Mbps)

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Latency

How to use it

1
Close other heavy apps

Pause downloads, streaming and big uploads so the test measures your connection rather than what else is using it.
2
Start the test

Press start. A short latency check runs first, then the download measurement, with a live readout as it goes.
3
Read your result

See your download speed and latency. Run it again, or move location, to compare wifi against a wired connection.

When it comes in handy

Checking your plan

See whether the speed you get is close to what your provider promised, especially over a wired connection.

Finding wifi dead spots

Test in different rooms to find where the signal drops, which helps place a router or a mesh point.

Before a big call or stream

Confirm you have enough headroom for a video call, a live stream or a large download before you start.

Instant & 100% private — nothing is recorded

The test runs right here in your browser. When it needs your camera or microphone, the feed is shown to you and nothing else: never uploaded, never recorded to a server, never stored. There is no sign-up and no email wall, and most tests keep working with no connection at all.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my speed lower than what I pay for?: Wifi, distance from the router, the device, and other people on the network all reduce real-world speed below the headline plan figure. Browser-based tests also have some overhead. For the truest reading, test on a wired connection with nothing else running, and compare a few runs rather than trusting a single number.
What is latency and why does it matter?: Latency is the delay before data starts moving, measured in milliseconds. Lower is better. It matters more than raw speed for video calls and gaming, where a laggy but otherwise fast connection still feels slow. A good home connection is usually well under 50 milliseconds to a nearby server.
Does this measure upload speed too?: This test focuses on download speed and latency, which are what most people want to check and what affects streaming and browsing. Upload speed is measured differently and depends heavily on your plan; if you upload large files or stream from home, your provider lists the upload figure separately.
Do you collect or store anything from the test?: No personal data is collected. Unlike the other tools here, a speed test does have to move real data over your connection to measure it, so it downloads a block of throwaway bytes from a fast server and times it. That sample is discarded immediately and nothing about your test is kept or tied to you.