Run a speed test on any device in under two minutes

A speed test measures how fast data moves to and from your device over your internet connection. You visit a website, click a button, and the site sends a small amount of data back and forth, then shows you three numbers: read speed, upload speed, and ping time. read speed is what matters most for everyday use — it controls how fast web pages load and videos play. Upload speed matters if you video call or upload files. Ping time measures delay, which affects online games and video calls.

The fastest way to test is to open any web browser on the device you want to test, go to Speedtest.net or Fast.com, and click the button to start. The test takes 30 to 60 seconds. You do not need to sign up or read anything. Both sites are free and show results when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Speedtest.net and Fast.com are the two most common free speed test sites and work on any device with a web browser.
  • Test on the device you actually use — a phone test will show different speeds than a computer test on the same connection.
  • Run the test at least twice, a few minutes apart, because speeds vary slightly from moment to moment.
  • Close other programs and browser tabs before testing so they do not use bandwidth and skew your results.
  • Your speed test result shows what your internet service provider is actually delivering right now, not what you are paying for.

Choose between the two most popular speed test sites

Speedtest.net (owned by Ookla) is the oldest and most widely used speed test. It has servers all over the world and automatically picks the one closest to you. The test takes about 60 seconds and shows read speed, upload speed, and ping. You can see a history of your past tests if you create a free account, though you do not need one to run a single test.

Fast.com (owned by Netflix) is simpler and faster. It shows only read speed by default, which is what most people care about. The test takes 30 seconds and requires no account. If you want to see upload speed and ping, you can click "Show More Info" after the test finishes. Fast.com is a good choice if you want the quickest result.

Both sites work on phones, tablets, and computers. Both are free. Either one will give you an accurate picture of your connection. Pick whichever you prefer — the results will be similar.

Test on the device you actually use most

Speed varies by device because of how each one connects to your router. A phone on WiFi will often show different speeds than a computer plugged in with an ethernet cable. Test the device where you spend the most time — if you watch videos on your phone, test your phone. If you work on a laptop, test the laptop.

If you are testing WiFi, sit in the room where you normally use that device. Do not test from right next to the router, because that is not where you actually experience your connection. If you are testing an ethernet cable connection, plug the cable directly into your device and the router — do not use a switch or hub in between, because those can slow things down.

Close other programs before you test

Other devices and programs on your network use bandwidth while you are testing, which makes your speed test results lower than they should be. Before you start, close web browser tabs you are not using, pause any downloads or uploads, and ask others in your home to stop streaming video or playing online games for a few minutes.

On your phone or computer, close apps that might be running in the background — email, cloud backup, messaging apps, and weather apps can all use data without you noticing. You do not need to restart your device, just close the programs you see.

Run the test at least twice and compare the results

Internet speed varies slightly from moment to moment depending on network traffic and other factors. Run your test once, wait two or three minutes, then run it again. If both tests show similar numbers — within 10 percent of each other — that is your real speed. If one test is much slower than the other, the slower one probably happened when your network was busy, so ignore it and use the faster result.

If you see a big difference between tests even after closing other programs, your connection may be unstable. That is worth reporting to your internet service provider, because it can mean a problem with your line or router.

Understand what your results mean

Your speed test shows what your internet service provider is actually delivering right now. It may be lower than the speed you are paying for, especially if you are on WiFi far from your router or if other people are using the connection. That does not mean you have been cheated — it means the conditions right now are not ideal.

Compare your result to what your service provider promised. You can find this on your bill or in your account online. If your test shows much less than half of what you are paying for, and you see the same low speed on multiple tests at different times of day, contact your service provider and tell them your speed test results. Bring the actual numbers from the test — most providers have a tool on their website where you can report low speeds.

If your speed is close to what you are paying for, your connection is working as intended. If it is lower, the problem is usually your WiFi distance or other devices using bandwidth, not your service provider.

Test your WiFi versus a wired connection

If you have an ethernet cable, test both your WiFi and a wired connection. Plug the ethernet cable directly from your router into your computer, run the speed test, then disconnect and test WiFi from the same spot. The wired test will almost always be faster and more stable.

If your WiFi is much slower than your wired connection, the problem is your WiFi, not your internet service. Move closer to the router, switch to the 5 GHz band if your router has one, or consider a WiFi extender or mesh system. If both tests show low speeds, the problem is your internet service itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my speed test show different numbers each time I run it?

Internet speed varies depending on network traffic, how many other devices are using your connection, and where you are sitting relative to your router. This is normal. Run the test at least twice and use the higher result as your real speed, unless you see the same low number multiple times in a row.

Should I test on WiFi or with an ethernet cable?

Test on whatever you actually use. If you mostly use WiFi, test WiFi. If you want to know your maximum possible speed, test with an ethernet cable plugged directly into your router and computer. The cable test will be faster because it has no interference or distance loss.

What read speed do I need for normal web browsing and video?

Most websites load fine with 5 to 10 Mbps. Streaming video in standard definition needs about 3 Mbps, and 4K video needs about 25 Mbps. If your test shows 25 Mbps or higher, you have enough speed for almost anything except multiple people streaming 4K at the same time.

Can I test my speed on my phone?

Yes. Open any web browser on your phone, go to Speedtest.net or Fast.com, and tap the button to start. The test works the same way as on a computer. Keep in mind that phone speeds are often lower than computer speeds on the same connection because of WiFi distance and phone hardware.

What does ping time mean and why does it matter?

Ping is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back. It is measured in milliseconds. For web browsing and video, ping does not matter much. For online games and video calls, lower ping is better — anything under 50 milliseconds is good, and under 20 is excellent.