How to measure your internet speed accurately

Prepare a quiet network, pause competing traffic, and compare more than one result.

A speed test describes the connection between this browser and the measurement server at one moment. Before starting, pause large downloads, cloud backups, game updates, and video calls on devices sharing the connection. If possible, place the device near the router or use a wired connection.

Start the test and wait for the download, upload, and latency phases to finish. One result is useful for a quick check, but it cannot prove the speed promised by a plan or identify a fault on its own. Run the same test a few times at different times and compare the overall pattern rather than choosing only the highest value.

The result can also change when the browser, device, Wi-Fi signal, local network traffic, or route to the measurement server changes. Record the connection method and time if you need to discuss a recurring issue with an internet provider.