The fastest way to check your speed

Open a web browser on your computer and go to speedtest.net or fast.com. Click the button to start the test. Within 30 seconds to a minute, you will see three numbers: read speed (how fast data comes to you), upload speed (how fast data leaves you), and ping (how long it takes for a signal to reach a server and come back). Write these numbers down so you can compare them over time.

Both sites are free and do not require you to create an account or install anything. Your browser does all the work. The test works the same way on Windows, Mac, or Linux — the only difference is which browser you use.

If one site seems slow or gives you a result that feels wrong, run the test on the other site. Different testing services use different servers in different locations, so results can vary by 10 to 20 percent depending on which one you pick and what time of day you run it.

Key Takeaways

  • Speedtest.net and fast.com are the two most common free speed tests and require no account or software installation.
  • Run the test when you are the only person using the internet on your network, or your results will be lower than your actual speed.
  • Write down your read, upload, and ping numbers so you can track changes over weeks or months.
  • If your speed is much lower than what your internet provider promised, restart your modem and router, then test again before calling them.
  • Speed tests measure only the moment you run them — a single slow result does not mean your internet is always slow.

Why the time of day matters

Internet speed changes throughout the day because more people use the network during evening hours (roughly 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.). If you test at 2 a.m., you will likely see higher speeds than if you test at 8 p.m., even though your internet plan is the same.

For the most honest picture of your speed, test at the same time each week — ideally a time when you normally use the internet. If you mostly work from home during business hours, test at 10 a.m. If you stream video in the evening, test at 7 p.m. This way you are measuring the speed you actually experience.

What to do before you test

Close all other programs and browser tabs on your computer. Streaming video, video calls, downloads, and cloud backups all use bandwidth and will make your speed test results lower than your real speed. If someone else in your home is using the internet — watching Netflix, playing online games, or downloading files — ask them to stop for five minutes while you test.

Restart your modem and router if you have not done so in the last week. Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, and plug them back in. Wait another two minutes for them to fully restart, then run your speed test. This straightforward step often fixes temporary slowdowns that have nothing to do with your internet plan.

If you are using Wi-Fi, move your computer closer to the router. Wi-Fi signal weakens with distance and through walls. If you are testing to see whether your internet plan is fast enough, use an ethernet cable plugged directly into your computer and router — this removes Wi-Fi from the equation and shows you the true speed your provider is delivering.

Understanding what the numbers mean

read speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This is how fast you can pull data from the internet — watching video, loading web pages, downloading files. Most people need 25 Mbps or higher for smooth streaming and web use. If you have multiple people in your home streaming at once, 100 Mbps is more comfortable.

Upload speed is how fast you can send data out — video calls, uploading photos to the cloud, sending large email attachments. Most plans offer much lower upload speeds than read speeds. For video calls and social media, 5 to 10 Mbps is usually enough. If you work from home and attend video meetings all day, aim for at least 10 Mbps.

Ping (also called latency) is measured in milliseconds (ms). It matters most if you play online games or use video calls. Lower is better — under 50 ms is good, under 100 ms is acceptable. High ping (over 150 ms) causes lag in games and delays in video calls. Ping is less important for streaming or browsing.

When results do not match your plan

Your internet provider advertises speeds like "100 Mbps" or "1 Gbps", but you may not always see those exact numbers. Providers typically may provide speeds "up to" that amount, which means you might see 85 Mbps on a 100 Mbps plan and that is within their terms.

If you consistently see speeds much lower than what you are paying for — say, 30 Mbps on a 100 Mbps plan — restart your modem and router, test again, and call your provider. Tell them your speed test results. They may ask you to run a test on their website instead, which uses their own servers. If their test also shows low speeds, they can send a technician to check the line coming into your home.

If your speed test shows good numbers but your internet still feels slow, the problem is usually not speed — it is something else, like a slow Wi-Fi connection, too many devices on your network, or a problem with a specific website or service.

Other speed test options

Google Speed Test is built into Google Search. Type "speed test" into Google and a test box appears at the top of the results. Click "Run Speed Test" and it uses Google's servers. This test is straightforward and fast, though it gives you fewer details than Speedtest.net.

Ookla Speedtest (speedtest.net) is the most detailed option. It shows your speed, ping, server location, and a history of your past tests if you create a free account. You can also read the Speedtest app for your computer if you prefer not to use a browser, though the web version works just as well.

Netflix Fast (fast.com) shows only read speed, not upload or ping. It is the simplest option and loads when ready. Netflix built it to help people check whether their connection is fast enough for streaming, so it focuses on the one number that matters most for that purpose.

Tracking your speed over time

A single speed test tells you only what your speed was at that moment. To spot real problems, test once a week at the same time and write down the results. If your speed drops by 20 percent or more over several weeks, something has changed — either your provider is having issues, your equipment is aging, or interference is affecting your Wi-Fi.

If you create a free account on Speedtest.net, the site keeps a history of all your tests. You can see a graph showing whether your speed has been steady, improving, or declining. This history is useful if you need to call your provider and show them that your speed has been consistently low.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Wi-Fi speed much slower than my ethernet speed?

Wi-Fi signal weakens over distance and through walls, and interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones, neighboring Wi-Fi networks) can slow it down. Ethernet cables connect directly to your router with no interference, so they almost always show higher speeds. If your Wi-Fi is much slower than your ethernet, move closer to the router or switch to ethernet for activities that need high speed.

Does running a speed test use up my data cap?

Yes, speed tests do use data from your monthly allowance, though not much — usually 100 to 300 megabytes per test. If you have a low data cap (under 500 GB per month), running a test once a week uses less than 2 percent of your total data. If you have an unlimited plan, speed tests do not matter.

What if my speed test shows different results each time?

Small variations (10 to 20 percent) are normal because network traffic changes constantly. Large swings (50 percent or more) suggest something is using bandwidth during some tests but not others. Check whether other people are online, whether your computer is downloading updates, or whether your antivirus is running a scan. Run the test again when you know nothing else is using the network.

Can I test my speed on my phone instead of my computer?

Yes, the same sites work on phones. However, phone results are often lower than computer results because phones use Wi-Fi or cellular data instead of ethernet. If you want to know your true internet speed, test on a computer connected by ethernet cable. Phone tests are useful for checking Wi-Fi speed in different rooms of your home.

How often should I check my internet speed?

Once a week is enough to spot trends. If you suspect a problem, test daily for a few days to see whether the slowness is constant or comes and goes. If your speed is consistently lower than your plan promises, one test is enough to show your provider — you do not need to run dozens of tests.