Internet providers frequently use the terms “bandwidth” and “speed” interchangeably. In fact, there is a subtle difference between them. Internet bandwidth is about how much data can be download or uploaded from your computer, while internet speed is how fast can the data be uploaded or downloaded on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Test Your WiFi Speed
For the most accurate results, ensure your other devices are not actively using the internet. Use our Speed Test above by pressing Go.
What is Ping & Latency?
Latency is the amount of time it takes for a piece of information (called a ping) to travel from your computer to the network server and back. It is measured in milliseconds, and lower latency is better. High latency causes things like lag in video games. A fast ping means you have a responsive connection, which is useful for applications like video games.
What Does Mbps Mean?
Megabits per second (Mbps) is a measurement of internet download and upload speeds. Not to be confused with megabytes (MB) which is a measure of size rather than bandwidth. Similarly, you may see internet speeds measured in Kbps or Gbps too. These are also measurements of speed and refer to kilobits per second and gigabits per second, respectively. And 1,000 Kbps equals 1 Mbps, while 1,000 Mbps equals 1 Gbps.
- 1 Mbps = 1,000 Kbps
- 1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps
What is Download Speed?
Download speed refers to how fast you can receive data from the internet to your device. A fast download speed means your web pages will load quicker, which leads to less buffering when streaming video.
What is Upload Speed?
Upload speed refers to how many megabits of data per second you can send information from your computer to another device or server on the internet. A fast upload speed means you will be able to send email attachments quicker. You will also experience less choppiness during video conferences.
If you or anyone in your household regularly live streams or works from home, though, you may need a plan with higher upload speeds.