M-Lab conducts the test and publicly publishes all test results to promote internet research. Published information includes your IP address and test results, but doesn't include any other information about you as an internet user. Learn more about how the test works. How does the internet speed test work? The internet speed test starts by identifying the server closest to you, which is displayed in the lower right-hand corner of the testing window above. Tip: If you believe the selected server may not be the closest one, try refreshing the page and running the test again to see if it will select another server. An internet speed test measures the connection speed and quality of your connected device to the internet. It does so by running multiple consecutive tests that analyze different aspects of your internet connection, namely ping (latency), download speed, and upload speed. This speed test checks the speed between your smartphone, tablet, computer, or other device and the internet. You can run the test through a cellular (mobile) network, a wired broadband connection, or your home Wi-Fi. A gateway speed test checks the speed between your AT&T Wi-Fi gateway and our network.
In the past 30 days over 12,985,506 people have used speed tests to see their download speeds, upload speeds, and ping. Press 'Start Test' below to get started testing your connection.
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Average Internet Speed Test Result in the US 2020-2021
In this chart we show the average download speed across all users who ran a speed test in the last 12 months.
Is My Internet Speed Test Result Fast Enough?
Our speed test tool is designed to help you understand how your internet connection performs on a daily basis. As you can see from the data above, internet speeds are improving across the country in 2021. For a more detailed comparison, you can also view average speed test results for internet providers in New York, Denver, Atlanta, and every other city in the U.S. by visiting our dedicated city data pages.
1-2 Mbps
At speeds below 2 Mbps, you will be very limited in terms of what you can do online.
1-2 Mbps is suitable for:
- Basic web browsing
- Checking email
- Single-user homes
2–10 Mbps
Speeds of 2–10 Mbps offer a bit more flexibility than the bottom end, but you’ll still be limited if you want to stream HD media or download large files.
2–10 Mbps is suitable for:
- Basic web browsing
- Streaming standard or HD content on one device at a time
- Single or two-user homes
10–25 Mbps
At the 10–25 Mbps level, you should have little to no trouble performing basic tasks online, as well as streaming HD content. Keep in mind that large families or users with many devices may still experience slower-than-expected performance. Using WiFi can also reduce your performance in this range.
10–25 Mbps is suitable for:
- Streaming HD content on one to two devices at a time
- Online gaming
- One to four-user homes
25+ Mbps
Speeds of around 25 Mbps should be sufficient for the average internet user. You can stream HD content on multiple devices, play online games, and handle medium/larger downloads with relative ease.
25+ Mbps speeds are suitable for:
- Streaming HD content on multiple devices or 4K content on one device at a time
- Playing online games and downloading medium-sized files
- Medium-sized families of two to six people
50+ Mbps
Speeds above 50 Mbps should be more than enough for the majority of internet users, regardless of the task at hand. You can stream HD or even 4K content with ease, use multiple devices at once, and download large files without prohibitive download times.
Speeds of 50 Mbps or more are suitable for:
- Heavy streaming or gaming households, 4K content
- Large families of power users
- Frequent large downloads
Why Run An Internet Speed Test?
For one, it could potentially save you some money.
Yes, really. You may be paying for more speed than you actually need, and these additional fees could be costing you month after month. Based on the information above, if you find that your internet speeds are higher than needed, we’d recommend reaching out to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and switching to a lower-cost plan.
Then there’s the flipside; you may be paying for speeds you’re not actually getting. Running our internet speed test is the best way to determine if your provider is actually holding up their end of the bargain. If you test your connection multiple times and find that you aren’t getting what you’re paying for, we recommend reaching out to your ISP for help. This will often solve the issue, but not always.
Keep in mind that using WiFi tends to reduce performance. The speeds advertised by internet providers are based on the speed you get with a device wired directly to the router using an ethernet cable.
How To Run A Speed Test
Before you start the test, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most accurate results.
- Be sure to place the laptop, tablet or smartphone you are using as close to your router as possible. Distance, walls, plumbing and other factors can all have an effect on your results.
- Be sure to turn off any other devices that might be clogging your connection. This includes TV’s, streaming devices, and other computers around your home.
- On the device you are using for testing, be sure that you aren’t actively downloading any files or updates before beginning the test.
Understanding Your Internet Speed Test Results
In order to better understand your internet speed test, it is vital to know the difference between upload speed and download speed.
Upload Speed
Upload speed refers to how quickly your connection can send something (data, in this case) from your device to the wider internet. This number is often not the one heavily advertised by service providers online, and this is on purpose. In short, most activities online do not require high upload speeds. Some do, however, including Skype and other video chat services, online gaming, and large cloud storage applications like Dropbox and Google Drive.
Download Speed
Download speed refers to how quickly your connection can retrieve data from a website or server online. Almost all activities require a certain amount of download speed, so this is the main number you’ll want to pay attention to when deciding how much internet speed you need. Streaming multiple TV shows or movies at the same time (especially 4K media) and downloading large files are both examples of activities that require higher download speeds than average.
How Much Internet Speed Do I Really Need?
Determining how much internet speed you actually need is really a matter of how you use the internet on a daily basis. For instance, a power user in a large family who all frequently stream movies and shows, play games, and download large files is going to need a higher download speed to accommodate them. Meanwhile, someone living in a one or two-person apartment who just checks email and occasionally watches a show on Netflix will need far less.
For more information, be sure to check out our guide to determining how much internet speed you need.
How Does An Internet Speed Test Work?
Though there are a variety of different internet speed tests available online, they all essentially operate in the same basic way. In essence, when you begin the test, our tool will upload a set of files from your network to the test server nearest your location. It will then perform the same test in reverse, downloading the set of files from the server instead. Throughout the process, our tool measures a variety of data points, including the speeds of both your upload and download.
Despite how useful this information can be, you will find that the speeds you see reported will almost always be a bit lower than you might have expected. These variations are to be expected, and for the most accurate results, we recommend running the test 3-4 times back to back to get a solid average.
Speed Test Terms: How To Understand Your Results
| Bits | Bits are foundational units of measurement for digital data. These are the ones and zeroes that make up binary code. For reference, there are 1,000 bits in a single Kilobit (Kb). There are 1 million bits in a Megabit (Mb). There are 1 billion bits in a Gigabit (Gb). |
| Bytes | A byte is a common unit of measurement for determining how large a particular piece of data is. Each byte contains 8 bits. Since bits are such a small unit of measurement, it makes more sense to use bytes when discussing file sizes. For example, there are 1,000 bytes in a single Kilobyte (KB). There are 1 million bytes in a Megabyte (MB). There are 1 billion bytes in a Gigabyte (GB). |
| Transfer Rate | Simply put, transfer rate refers to how quickly data is transferred between two or more devices. This can be done through the internet, or locally, such as transferring photos between a flash drive and your computer’s local storage. Transfer rates are commonly described using a bits-per-second measurement. |
| Kbps | Kilobits per second. Only the slowest connections are measured this way. |
| Mbps | Megabits per second. The most common unit of measurement for modern internet connections. |
| Gbps | Gigabits per second. Faster connections are measured this way. |
| GBps | Gigabytes per second. No currently operating consumer networks utilize this measurement. |
| Bandwidth | You can think of bandwidth as the total capacity a given network has in terms of data. ISP’s commonly advertise the best case scenario bandwidth when showing the speeds offered in their internet plans. For example, if a provider lists a download speed of 25 Mbps, this figure is based on the full capacity (bandwidth) of the company’s network. During certain times of peak traffic, you may experience slower speeds. |
| Throughput | Throughput is very similar to bandwidth, in that it is a measurement of the amount of data that passes from one point to another within a certain amount of time. Unlike bandwidth, however, this is a measurement of volume, not speed. |
| Ping | Ping simply refers to a signal that is sent from a given device to a server, and back again. You will usually see this represented as a “ping rate,” which simply measures how much time passes during the process of sending the signal and receiving it again. This measurement is reflected as latency on a network. |
| Latency | Often referred to as “lag,” latency is a description of the time it takes to send a ping to a given server and receive it back at your local device again. |
Does A Slow Speed Test Mean I’m Being Throttled?
Not necessarily. There are many reasons why you may not be getting the results you expected from your speed test. Once again, make sure you run the test multiple times to rule out any random dips in speed. Also be sure to double check that no one else is using their device on your network when you run the test. Even a single smartphone can measurably alter your results if it is downloading a large update or streaming content at the same time as your speed test.
If you’ve ruled out the above and are concerned that you aren’t getting the speeds you’re paying for, read this: How To Tell If Your Internet Is Being Throttled.
What To Do If Your Speed Test Is Much Slower Than Expected
Our first recommendation is always to contact your service provider directly for help. They will be able to alert you to any network outages or other issues in your area, and can often troubleshoot your individual connection over the phone or via a live chat service.
Beyond this, if you can’t get immediate help, try using an ethernet cable to connect your computer to the router directly, if possible. If this doesn’t help, there is almost certainly something wrong with your connection on the provider’s side. If it does help, you may be experiencing signal issues with your WiFi.
How can I test my internet provider’s speed?
You can check the download and upload speeds of your ISP by using their corresponding link below:
Why do I get a “socket error” message?
An error may result from having the speed test open in more than one browser tab or window. The test may fail to complete and display the following message:
“A socket error occurred during the Upload test. Please try again later.”
To prevent this error, and get the most accurate test results, close all other browser tabs and windows before running.
If you continue to get a socket error message, or another type of error message, please provide feedback by emailing us at speedtestfeedback@fusionconnect.com. Please, include your OS/Browser information.
Why is the location I usually pick missing from the City list?
We first complete a latency test to our servers, and if a server does not respond within a specified time frame, it is not included in the City list.
What Is A Good Wifi Speed
A slow response can be caused by latency or packet-loss between the client and server, or particularly high Internet usage (during peak hours). Do try the test again in a little while.
In which browsers does the Speed Test work best?
For best results, use the most recent version of your favorite browser. But at minimum use Firefox 53, Chrome 59, Safari 10, IE 11, or Edge 13 or higher. If you are unable to see Speed Test, though other content appears on the speed test page, check your browser's security setting. Try lowering the setting from High to Medium-High, or even a bit lower, to allow the broadband test application to load.
Why am I receiving “Could not connect to the Internet” errors when I am connected?
In some cases, firewall and security software can prevent the test from running and generate a 'could not connect' error. Temporarily lowering the severity should allow the broadband test to run. Be sure to turn it back on before leaving our website.
Why didn’t the test choose the server location nearest me?
Our Speed Test automatically detects the optimal server host location for testing, which is not necessarily the closest server host. This is due to real-time network circumstances like number of hops, or current traffic load on each test server. Change the selection using the Change City drop down function directly underneath the Start Test button.
Why is my speed lower than expected?
Several factors may slow your connection, resulting in lower-than-expected speeds. Try these simple suggestions below. But if your slower speeds persist, contact your broadband service provider to see if they can determine the issue.
- Be sure to stop any downloads or programs that may be using your connection while running the test.
- When using a wireless connection, there may be wireless interference. Try using a wired Ethernet connection instead.
- Try rebooting your modem or router and then running the test again.
What is “Throughput” and what factors affect my results?
There are many factors that impact your speed test results. Throughput problems in your local area network, IP or access overhead, and network design all play a role. Please read the definitions and examples below to learn more about these factors.
- Download
Download is a measure of how fast your connection delivers content to your computer or local area network. - Upload
Upload is the measure of how fast content is delivered from your computer or local area network to others on the Internet.
For businesses or power-users, download and upload speed should match or at least be very close. This is important for applications like VoIP, on-line gaming and other interactive programs. Upload speed is even more important if you are operating a server at your location. If achieving optimal upload speed is a concern, consider Ethernet or T1 services. - Kbps
Kbps transfer rate = kilobit per second transfer rate. There are 8 bits in a byte, so we would divide kbps by 8 to get KB/sec transfer rate. - Mbps
Mbps transfer rate = megabits per second transfer rate. 1000 kilobits equals one megabit. One megabit per second equals 1 million bits per second. Mbps is the industry-standard used by ISPs. - MBps
MegaBytes per second. There are 8 megabits in one megabyte. - Transfer Rate
- Transfer rate is speed at which data can be transmitted between devices. As files to download become increasingly larger, the highest data transfer rate is most desirable.
- Throughput
Throughput is the maximum amount of communication or messaging that can be transmitted through a communication channel during an elementary unit of time, usually, in a second.
Depending on the type of channel, the addressing mechanism used in that channel, the type of messages are being transmitted and how secure the transmission needs to be—along with physical attributes like temperature, humidity and signal-to-noise ratios—actual measured throughput will vary.
An Example of Throughput
You have Ethernet 8.0 Mbps service and need to transmit an email which is exactly 1MB in size You may expect it will take exactly 1 second to transmit that message. But it will actually take longer as the total information that needs to be transmitted is more than 1MB. The total information is called Payload. The channel needs to not only transmit the payload but also some addressing details like where it is coming from and where it is destined to.
The device that sends this email will break down the message into smaller pieces and package them into what are called IP Packets. The size of these packets is usually determined by your Local Area Network. Some have smaller size, so the message will take more IP Packets to transmit; while others may have larger size which needs fewer IP Packets. Each IP Packet also contains an IP Header. This is where the information like the source IP Address, the destination IP Address and additional information about the payload is included. IP Header is usually 20 Bytes (160 Bits) long.
Assuming that this customer uses 100 Byte payload, each IP Packet will now be 120 Bytes long. And that 1MB message will have to be broken down into 10,000 payload pieces. That means to transmit the whole message the channel really needs to transmit about 1,200,000 Bytes or 1.2 MB or 9,600,000 bits. It will take at least 1.2 seconds to transmit all these bytes on this 8 Mbps service assuming that all these IP packets with the payload arrive without any errors and not needing re-transmission. This is called IP Overhead.
Actual Throughput will always be less than line rate of the access service that is communicated by your provider—and this is all based on IP Overhead only. Ethernet services also have a Layer 2 or Ethernet Overhead. Other services may have ATM, Frame Relay or other kinds of Overhead depending on the design. All of this may contribute to a slower bandwidth throughput than what you are expecting.
Other frequent factors influencing throughput:
- The number of devices sharing the access circuit and the activity the other devices are generating while the test is running
- A rogue LAN port that is clogging the LAN with transmission
- A leaky LAN port which degrades LAN performance
- LAN signaling issues which create a lot of packet re-transmission for the devices on the LAN
- LAN Router with performance issues, low processing power or Deep Packet Inspection and advanced security features like URL blocking enabled
- Wireless Access Points on the LAN side
- Distance (both geographical as well as number of hops) between the speed testing client and the server
Why do I see a license expiration notice?
This notice is in place to protect our test from being stolen and run, mirrored, or framed into another website.
To remove this notice:
Make sure you are going to https://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/. We have software in place to block the test from being used in any other domain.
Wifi Speed Test Free
Also, you may have an older version of the test cached in your browser. Clearing your cache and Fusion Connect cookies should make the license expiration notice disappear.
How does security software and firewalls impact the test?
Our internet broadband test sends packets of empty data back and forth to your computer in order to test your line speed. Since we are a third-party sending a receiving a tiny data packet from your computer to perform the test, some ad block or security services interpret this as an attack and act accordingly. Temporarily lowering the severity should allow the speed test to work. Be sure to turn it back on before leaving our website.
Https://www.speedtest.net/
How do I save my bandwidth test results?
Your most recent speed test results are saved in your Results History when tested on desktop or tablet.