21/01/2020
How much internet speed do I need?
If you’re trying to figure out what internet speed you need for your connected household, you’ve come to the right place. Our speed tool will help you identify which speed is ideal for your home given the way you use the internet. But before we dive into the details, let’s define exactly what internet speed is.
Internet speed is measured by how fast packets of data are transmitted from the World Wide Web to your home computer or mobile device. It is measured in units called megabits per second, or Mbps.
Beware that not all speeds are created equal. For instance, many providers may have extraordinary download speeds but their upload speeds are abysmal.
Upload speeds
refer to how fast your PC or device can send data to the internet.
Download speeds
refer to the rate at which your computer can stream or download data from the internet.
Most providers choose to set their bandwidth in such a way that the majority of speed is available for those downloading rather than uploading. This can be problematic for customers who frequently use cloud-sharing applications for data storage or those who play games online. If you’re a gamer or you live your life in the cloud, you’ll want to look for a provider that offers what is referred to as “symmetrical bandwidth,” where the download and upload speeds are more evenly balanced.
Summary of Speed Recommendations for Common Internet Activities
Online Gaming
Download Speed: 5 Mbps
Upload Speed: 1 Mbps
Max Ping Rate: 150 ms
Streaming Video
Download Speed: 10 Mbps
Upload Speed: 0.5 Mbps (500 Kbps)
Streaming Music
Download Speed: 1 Mbps
Upload Speed: 0.25 Mbps (250 Kbps)
These recommendations are for a single activity at a time and represent the lowest recommended speed. If you plan to do more than one thing at a time, you'll need to add up the recommended speeds for the activities you plan to do. For example, if you want to scroll through social media while streaming video, you'll want an internet connection with a download speed of at least 13 Mbps. You should also add about 5 Mbps of extra speed to your total to compensate for occasional slowdowns.
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How much Internet speed is right for you? Use this tool to find out how much download speed you need.