How to test your internet speed accurately

Before you start

1. Choose the connection you want to check. Use Ethernet to separate broadband performance from Wi-Fi. To check everyday Wi-Fi, test on the device and in the room where you notice a problem.
2. Pause activity that can use bandwidth. Large downloads, cloud backups and streaming on other devices can reduce the capacity available to your test. You can also run a test while the home is busy if that is the experience you want to measure.
3. Keep conditions consistent. Use the same device and location when comparing results. Run more than once, and check again at a different time if speeds vary during the day.
4. Think about your VPN. A VPN changes the route your traffic takes. Leave it on to measure your usual setup; a separate comparison with it off can help identify whether that route is affecting a result.

What the result means

Download speed

Download speed measures how quickly data reaches your device. Streaming, browsing and downloading files rely on it. Speed is usually shown in megabits per second (Mbps); megabits and megabytes are different units.

Upload speed

Upload speed measures how quickly your device sends data. It matters for video calls, live streaming, sending large files and backing up photos or documents.

Ping and jitter

Ping is the round-trip time for a small request to reach a server and return, shown in milliseconds (ms). Jitter describes how much that time changes between readings. A fast download result does not necessarily mean that an online call or game will feel responsive if latency is high or inconsistent.

How SpeedScan runs its test

SpeedScan’s browser first runs parallel download transfers to Cloudflare’s network, then measures upload, and finally checks ping and jitter. The download estimate excludes its initial 1.5 seconds of warm-up. Upload speed updates as bytes leave the browser. Ping uses 14 small requests and drops the first as a warm-up; the displayed ping is the median of the rest, and jitter reflects the change between consecutive readings.

Because the test runs in your browser, your device, Wi-Fi, browser extensions, other network traffic and the route to the Cloudflare data centre can all affect the result. The number describes this device and moment. It is not a direct measurement of every device in your home or a guarantee of the maximum speed in your plan.

How to investigate a low result

• Repeat the test close to your router, then compare it with a wired Ethernet test if available.
• Check whether other devices are streaming, downloading or backing up files.
• Try again later to see whether the slowdown is temporary or tied to a busy period.
• Compare download and upload separately. A weak Wi-Fi signal or a busy network can affect them differently.
• If a wired test remains well below the service you pay for, record a few results and contact your internet provider.

Google Meet also recommends checking bandwidth and latency over time and comparing Wi-Fi with a wired connection when troubleshooting call quality. Google Meet network troubleshooting.