Internet Speed Test
Check the Download Speed & Upload Speed of Your Internet Connection.
Speed Test Tips
Be sure you’re getting the most from your Internet service provider.
- Internet speed changes throughout the day. Test your speed multiple times for clear results.
- Run the speed test in the same room and in clear sight of your router for the most accurate result.
- Complete downloads on all connected devices prior to running the test.
Ideal for 1-2 devices
Your Internet connection is slow.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 1 person
- Light Internet browsing
- Music and photo download
This connection is not fast enough to support high-quality streaming.
Find Better Internet
SmartMove connects you to the best Internet, mobile and TV providers in your area. Enter your address to explore your options. Plus, learn how you can save by bundling your Internet and mobile services. Explore More OptionsIdeal for up to 6 devices
You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 1-2 people
- Moderate Internet browsing
- Stream HD videos
Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.
Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet, mobile and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options. Explore More OptionsIdeal for 10+ devices
You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 3+ people
- Manage large files
- Stream 4K videos
- Multiplayer gaming
Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.
Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet, mobile and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options. Explore More OptionsIdeal for unlimited devices
You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.
Your Internet should support the following:
- Suitable for 20+ people
- Heavy Internet usage
- Stream 4K videos
- Multiplayer gaming
Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.
Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet, mobile and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options. Explore More OptionsLearn More About Your Broadband Internet Speed
- What is a Good Internet Speed?
- How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?
- What is the Fastest Type of Internet?
- How Can I Improve My Internet Speed at Home?
- Who Are the Best Internet Providers?
- How Much Does High-Speed Internet Cost?
- How Does My Modem and Router Impact Internet Speed?
- How Does My Device Affect Internet Speed?
- General Internet Speed FAQs?
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What is a Good Internet Speed?
A good Internet speed depends on several factors. It can vary based on whether you have a wired connection like an Ethernet cable or use a WiFi connection. Additionally, your specific online activities and the number of devices connected in your household will factor into your maximum speed. Generally, if you’re a light Internet user and have few devices in your home, a lower speed is good enough. However, if you have a large household with dozens of connected devices, a good Internet speed will be at least 1,000 Mbps.
| Internet Speed | What it’s Best For | Recommended Number of Devices |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Mbps | Sending emails, browsing the Internet, SD streaming on one device | 1-2 |
| 100 Mbps | HD streaming on multiple devices, downloading large files, running smart devices | 3-5 |
| 200-500 Mbps | HD streaming on multiple devices, online gaming | 5-8 |
| 600-1,000 Mbps, 1+ Gbps | Simultaneous high-bandwidth tasks, including streaming in HD or 4K, online gaming, running smart home devices and security systems | 9+ |
How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?
How much Internet speed you need for your home network ultimately depends on several factors, including how many connected devices you have, how many Internet users are in your household, and what online activities you’re doing.
In general, here’s how much speed you likely need based on the number of devices connected to your home WiFi or broadband Internet network:
| Number of Devices | Required Internet Speed (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | 25 Mbps |
| 3-5 | 100 Mbps |
| 5-8 | 200-400 Mbps |
| 9+ | 600-1,000+ Mbps |
Still not sure how much Internet speed you need? Take this quiz and find out!
What is the Fastest Type of Internet?
When you compare types of broadband Internet in terms of speed, there’s a clear winner — fiber Internet. Instead of using the traditional copper wires of a cable connection, fiber Internet is transferred through fiber optic cables, which allows for a much faster and stronger connection.
Learn more about fiber Internet.
How Can I Improve My Internet Speed at Home?
Aside from upgrading your Internet service, here are a few ways you can easily optimize your speed at home:
- Place your router in a more central location, in the open and away from obstructions to make the most of your signal strength.
- Update your router’s firmware.
- Avoid performing multiple high-bandwidth activities simultaneously, like streaming video, playing online games, and downloading large files.
- If you have dead zones or a large area to cover, a WiFi extender or mesh network system can improve WiFi signal coverage and speed.
- Sometimes, simply restarting your router can improve your connection speed.
Learn more about increasing your Internet speed.
Who Are the Best Internet Providers?
The best Internet providers are those that offer a wide range of plan options, a reliable connection, great customer service, and an affordable monthly price. With so many options out there, finding the best provider can be a difficult task if you’re doing it on your own — that’s where SmartMove comes in. With SmartMove, all you have to do is complete the form at the bottom of this page, and we’ll connect you with the top providers based on your address. It doesn’t get easier than that.
Learn more about choosing the right Internet provider.
How Much Does High-Speed Internet Cost?
According to US Telecom, the average cost of high-speed Internet service in 2024 was a little under $73/month. However, the exact cost depends on where you live, the type of Internet connection, and your Internet speed. Overall, more Internet users are choosing higher speeds (100-940 Mbps) while costs are declining — a 60% drop since 2015.
See the average monthly cost based on Internet speed.
How Do My Modem and Router Impact Internet Speed?
Modems and routers have a significant impact on your Internet speed. For example, outdated modems and routers are often unable to support the level of speed offered by some Internet plans. In this case, your equipment is limiting your Internet speed.
If you have an updated router but are still experiencing issues, consider the placement of the router. You’ll want to keep your router in a clear space where WiFi signals won’t be blocked by thick walls or other devices. Competing signals can also travel along the floor, so it’s important to keep your router elevated and open.
To ensure you get the most out of your Internet plan, use modern, up-to-date equipment that is compatible with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and plan.
Is it better to rent a modem and router from your Internet provider or buy your own equipment? Find out now.
How Do My Devices Affect Internet Speed?
If your device is running several applications simultaneously, it is natural for the speed to be compromised as those applications compete for the available bandwidth. On smartphones, it is especially important to consider which apps may be running in the background even when they aren’t being actively used.
The hardware capabilities of your device can also impact speed. For example, if your device has a weak, outdated processor, you won’t experience top speeds, even with the fastest Internet plans.
Additionally, speed can be affected by the type of connection. An Ethernet connection provides more speed and stability than WiFi, for example.
Here is some information to give you a better understanding of what download speed, upload speed, and ping mean:
- Download Speed: The rate at which data is transferred from the Internet to your device, measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). This is crucial for activities like streaming, downloading files, and browsing.
- Upload Speed: The rate at which data is sent from your device to the Internet, measured in Mbps or Gbps. This is important for tasks such as video conferencing, sending emails with attachments, and online gaming.
- Ping: A measure of the reaction time of your Internet connection, indicating how quickly you get a response after sending out a request, also called “latency.” This is important for real-time online activities like gaming and video calls. Test at different times of day to see how your ping varies — this is known as “jitter.”
Overall, a “good” download or upload speed will vary based on your needs and usage, but higher scores mean faster Internet. A good ping is generally 20 ms or lower.
- Our Internet speed test will determine your location to find the test server that is closest to you.
- Once the nearest test server has been determined, we will ping that server, measuring the round-trip response time.
- We will begin the download test, opening multiple server connections, and attempting to download a small sample of data. This stage of the test measures the time it takes to capture the sample data and the required network resources used in that capture. If there is additional room detected, we will increase the number of open connections to download additional data, measuring how much your Internet connection is able to accomplish simultaneously.
- We process your upload capacity, measuring the speed of data uploads from your device to the test server.