How Much Net Speed Do I Need?

Cyberspace speed is fundamental to everything you do online. If your habitation internet speed isn't fast enough, and so fifty-fifty a elementary action tin can be a time-consuming slog—a nightmare that's especially common in rural areas, where proficient internet speed tin be difficult to come up past.

But what internet speed exercise you need, exactly? The average residential home internet speed that users experience in the United States is 50.2 Mbps, but non everyone'due south needs are the same.one Building on 40 hours of research and many years of firsthand experience, we put together a guide to assist you navigate the nuances of Wi-Fi speed and find the all-time speeds for your setup.

What internet speed practice you need?

Internet speed (download)

What can you lot do online

0–v Mbps

Checking email and social mediaSearching on GoogleStreaming music

v–40 Mbps

Streaming SD or Hard disk video on a few devicesPlaying online games with 1 playerMaking video calls on Zoom

forty–100 Mbps

Streaming 4K video on two or three devicesPlaying online games with multiple playersDownloading large files

100–500 Mbps

Operating multiple smart-home devicesStreaming 4K video on more than three devicesDownloading large files quickly

500–1,000+ Mbps

Streaming, gaming, calling, and surfing the internet simultaneously from 5+ devices.

You demand around 30 Mbps internet speed to utilize the net without frustrating loading times or buffering. Some cyberspace users don't need as much, while others require faster speeds to accommodate more than activity and more than devices on their domicile network. But xxx Mbps is relatively fast for a small household and modest internet needs.

All in all, when you lot're using your Wi-Fi, you need internet speed that's fast plenty to allow you do everything you lot normally do online with a polish connexion and minimal slowdowns. That could include simple things like checking email and reading news headlines, simply it could as well include more than complex endeavors like streaming on Netflix in 4K or uploading a terabyte difficult drive'southward worth of files to Google Drive.

How many people utilize your net?

If you live in a household with multiple people, aim to have at least 5–10 Mbps speeds for every individual who regularly uses your internet. Then if you alive with three other people, then 40 Mbps would be ideal.

Your net speed is heavily impacted past the number of people signed onto your internet network. It boils down to the sheer volume of cyberspace consumption: if everybody's using their devices, you'll have more than devices total on your abode network, which takes up a larger portion of your total speed.

Where tin I find fast cyberspace?

Provider Viasat HughesNet Rise Broadband AT&T Fixed Wireless Verizon 4G LTE CenturyLink EarthLink
Speeds Upwards to 12–100 Mbps Upward to 25 Mbps Upwardly to 25–l Mbps Up to 25 Mbps 25 Mbps avg. 1–940 Mbps 3–1,000 Mbps
Price $30.00–$200.00/mo. $64.99–$159.99/mo. $34.95–$64.95/mo. $49.99–$65.00/mo. $twoscore.00–$threescore.00/mo. $49.00–$65.00/mo. $49.95–$99.95/mo.
Plans

Information as of 2/i/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to modify.

You tin find fast cyberspace from an internet access provider (ISP) that maintains a network in your expanse. In rural parts of the United states, most ISPs offering DSL, fixed-wireless, or satellite net, and the fastest speed you'll get is typically 100 Mbps.

Some DSL providers also have fiber networks, which tin can go y'all summit speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. Fiber isn't widely available in the Us, so you lot may have to be content with a slower internet connectedness type. Merely you'll notwithstanding become solid performance from an net plan that ranges from 25–100 Mbps.

How to summate internet speed

Cyberspace speed is most commonly calculated in terms of megabits per second, or Mbps.

A bit is the smallest unit of data in digital communications: your basic 1 or 0 in binary lawmaking. The abridgement of "bps" refers to the number of bits that transfer between a network and a device (such equally your computer or phone) in a second.

Downloading, uploading, and bandwidth usually gets measured in bps. But how many bps are we talking about? Normally it's broken downwards into iii measurements:

  • Kbps—kilobits per second (i,000 bps)
  • Mbps—megabits per second (i,000 Kbps)
  • Gbps—gigabits per second (i,000 Mbps)

Kbps is less than 1 Mbps, and then information technology represents the slowest speeds possible: basically what y'all would have gotten over a dial-up connection in the 1990s. Gbps, on the other hand, is fashion fast: most internet providers in America can barely hitting 1 Gbps.

Mbps is the range well-nigh internet speeds come in. The Federal Communications Committee defines loftier-speed, broadband internet as a connection with 25 Mbps download speeds and three Mbps upload speeds.2

You tin can observe your cyberspace speed with our costless internet speed test.

Not getting fast-enough speeds in your household? Put in your zip code beneath to see if you lot can find a faster cyberspace provider in your area:

What's the departure between upload speed and download speed?

Download speed measures the amount of Mbps it takes to download a piece of data, like when you download an zipper in an email or stream a movie on Netflix. Upload speed refers to tasks that involve uploading data, such as hosting a video call over Zoom or posting your latest trip the light fantastic toe video to TikTok.

Most common download activities

  • Streaming a movie on Netflix
  • Reading an electronic mail
  • Searching on Google
  • Downloading a file from Google Drive

Most common upload activities

  • Hosting a video meeting on Zoom
  • Sending an electronic mail
  • Posting to social media
  • Uploading a file to Google Drive

Nigh of the stuff we do on the internet involves downloading, so cyberspace providers typically advertise download speeds as your primary speed. Upload speeds are often a lot slower than download speeds. Only you won't really notice the slower rate unless you spend a lot of time uploading content—for example, by uploading lots of videos to social media or hosting frequent video meetings for work.

If you work or study from home (situations that often require more than uploading), consider investing in a faster internet plan overall and so you can get meliorate upload speeds.

Is 100 Mbps fast?

Internet speeds of 100 Mbps are considered fast for regular apply. With a 100 Mbps download speed you can stream video, play online games, and do simply about anything on multiple devices simultaneously.

What is latency?

Latency is the brief delay that happens when a signal is being processed between the network and the user. It'south measured in mere milliseconds, only high latency tin exist really noticeable—think laggy video streams and poor response times while online gaming.

Satellite internet has some of the highest levels of latency because the internet signal is beaming downward from infinite, creating a lot of opportunity for delays and interference. DSL has much lower latency since the bespeak is transferred over the relatively stable copper wiring of a telephone company.

If you plan to stream video or play online games, look for a Wi-Fi package with the everyman latency possible.

Internet connexion blazon

Average latency

Satellite internet 594–624 ms
Stock-still-wireless net xl–sixty ms
DSL internet 25–43 ms
Cable internet 15–35 ms

Latency is the brief filibuster that happens when a signal is being processed between the network and the user. It's measured in mere milliseconds, but high latency can be actually noticeable—recollect laggy video streams and poor response times while online gaming.

Satellite internet has some of the highest levels of latency because the internet signal is beaming down from space, creating a lot of opportunity for delays and interference. DSL has much lower latency since the signal is transferred over the relatively stable copper wiring of a telephone company.

If you plan to stream video or play online games, look for a Wi-Fi package with the lowest latency possible.

What's the fastest internet speed in rural areas?

Connexion blazon

Max download spped

Max upload speed

Satellite

100 Mbps

three Mbps

Fixed wireless

100 Mbps

3 Mbps

4G LTE

25–60 Mbps

3 Mbps

DSL

100 Mbps

thirty Mbps

Dial-up

56 Kbps (0.056 Mbps)

56 Kbps (0.056 Mbps)

View providers in your area

The fastest internet speed you tin arrive most rural areas is 100 Mbps. Viasat's Unlimited Platinum 100 program gives you up to 100 Mbps download speeds over a satellite net connection for a starting toll of $150 per month.

In big cities and many smaller towns, you can get fiber or cable connections that height out at upwards of one,000 Mbps. Simply the fastest internet speeds sadly aren't available everywhere—which is one of the major issues that defines America'due south "digital split," pregnant the lack of opportunities for those without high-speed internet access.

Speeds tend to be slower in rural areas because the infrastructure isn't there to support the latest networking technology. You lot still accept options, though. If you lot can get net somewhere in the range of 25 Mbps, then you lot'll have fast-enough speeds to permit yous search on Google, stream video in Hard disk on Netflix, and participate in Zoom video calls.

How to improve your net speed

In near cases, you tin can improve your cyberspace speed by calling up your internet provider and upgrading your Wi-Fi bundle to something faster.

But paying more money isn't the only way you can get faster internet. (And sometimes an upgrade may non be an option anyhow—for example, if y'all're living in an area that has only one net provider or one internet programme available.) Thankfully there are a few ways to troubleshoot your internet connection if you're getting sluggish Wi-Fi.

Restart your network

If your Wi-Fi is out or you're getting sluggish service, sometimes all yous need to do is simply unplug your modem and router and plug them dorsum in. That volition clear out any bugs that result from overheating, memory leaks, and other issues to give the equipment a fresh offset.

Move your router

You may be getting weak Wi-Fi if your router is placed somewhere out of the way in your habitation. Attempt moving it to a primal location, like on a tabletop or shelf in your living room, where the Wi-Fi signal can distribute evenly across your living space. And keep information technology away from thick walls, metal objects, and microwaves, which can interfere with the betoken.

Utilize fewer devices

The more devices you have, the more than strain y'all're putting on your internet speed—then you tin can get a smoother connection by disconnecting devices you don't need on the Wi-Fi. This will also use less data: if y'all're on a satellite cyberspace, you lot'll have longer before you might exceed your information cap and have your speed slowed down.

Info

Read our data caps guide for a primer on the (somewhat complicated) ins and outs of information usage on satellite cyberspace plans.

Avoid beingness online during peak hours

Satellite, fixed wireless, cable, and 4G LTE habitation internet connections are all prone to network congestion, which happens when lots of people are using the internet at the same fourth dimension. You can save your big downloads and other speed-intensive activities for off hours like the early morning or late at night, when your neighbors won't exist logged on as much.

Switch providers

If you've tried everything and your internet still isn't getting any improve, it may be time to switch to a better provider. Blazon in your nada lawmaking beneath to see if y'all tin can observe faster service in your expanse.

FAQ about internet speed

How much cyberspace speed do I need?

You need at to the lowest degree 30 Mbps of download speed and three Mbps upload speed to do a range of everyday internet activities with minimal slowdowns and interruptions. A download speed of 25 Mbps will give you aplenty bandwidth to download modestly sized files, stream Netflix in Hard disk on two or three devices, browse the spider web, and check your electronic mail.

You'll need faster speeds if y'all live in a large household (say, five people or more than) or rely on the cyberspace for speed-heavy activities like streaming in 4K, hosting large group meetings on Zoom, or operating numerous smart-home devices. If that'south your state of affairs, then aim for at least 50–100 Mbps, though faster will be ameliorate.

What's a practiced internet speed?

A proficient net speed is 25 Mbps. The Federal Communications Commission sets 25 Mbps download speeds and iii Mbps upload speeds as the baseline for broadband, high-speed net. If you can go faster speeds, though, that volition be much better—most cable and cobweb internet plans can accomplish max speeds of 1,000 Mbps.

Is 25 Mbps good?

Internet speed of 25 Mbps is a good baseline for a small household. Y'all'll be able to do lots of activities at 25 Mbps, including streaming HD video on two or three devices, downloading MP3s and pdfs, and attending Zoom video meetings.

Consider investing in a faster Wi-Fi bundle if you have a larger household or depend on your internet for more complex undertakings—like multiplayer gaming or content creation.

Sources

  1. N. F. Mendoza, Tech Republic, "US cities with the fastest and slowest internet speeds," Nov. 12, 2019. Accessed Nov. 13, 2020.
  2. Federal Communications Commission, "Measuring Fixed Broadband—Ninth Study," Aug. 30, 2020. Accessed November. 12, 2020.

Peter Holslin