How to Test Your Home Internet Speed

A quick internet speed test tells you exactly how fast your connection is and whether you're getting what you pay for from your provider.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Run a speed test on any device
2.Understand the numbers
3.Test in the right place
4.Compare to what you're paying for
5.What if your speed is very slow?

Run a speed test on any device

~23s

Open any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox) and go to fast.com — a simple, free speed test from Netflix. The test starts automatically and shows your download speed within about 20 seconds. For more details including upload speed and latency, click "Show more info" when the test completes.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: You can also go to speedtest.net for another reliable free speed test with a more detailed readout.

Understand the numbers

~26s

Download speed is how fast data comes to you — what matters for streaming, browsing, and video calls. Upload speed is how fast your data goes out — matters for video calling and sending files. Latency (ping) is the delay in milliseconds — lower is better for video calls. Reference speeds: 25 Mbps download is adequate for one person streaming in HD. 100 Mbps handles multiple people streaming and video calls comfortably. 300+ Mbps is plenty for a full household.

Test in the right place

~20s

For the most accurate result, run the test on the device you actually use, in the room where you use it. Speed through Wi-Fi will be lower than speed directly plugged into the router via a cable — that's normal. Also test at different times of day; internet can be slower in the evenings when more people are online.

Compare to what you're paying for

~19s

Look at your internet bill or your provider's website to see what speed you're paying for. Your test result should be at least 80% of that advertised speed. If you're consistently getting much less — for example, paying for 200 Mbps but only getting 20 Mbps — contact your provider and ask them to investigate.

What if your speed is very slow?

~23s

If your speed test shows much slower than expected: restart your router (unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in), move closer to the router, check that no one else is using a lot of bandwidth on the same network, and call your internet provider if the problem persists. See the companion guide "What to Do When Your Internet Is Slow" for full troubleshooting steps.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Test Your Home Internet Speed

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Have you ever wondered if your internet is as fast as your provider claims? Or why some websites and videos load slowly while others are quick? A speed test can answer those questions in about 30 seconds. It measures how fast data can be downloaded to your device and uploaded from it, and shows the result in Megabits per second (Mbps).

Knowing your actual speed helps you determine if you're getting what you're paying for, troubleshoot slow connections, and understand whether your plan is adequate for activities like video calling or streaming movies. This guide shows you how to run a speed test from any device and how to interpret the results.

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