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How fast data flows from the Internet to your device. The number that matters most for streaming, browsing and downloads.
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Honest Internet Speed Test
Measure download, upload, ping, jitter and packet loss in 30 seconds. Free, no signup, privacy-friendly. Powered by the Cloudflare global backbone.
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Jitter
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YOUR INTERNET IS
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Analyzing your values…
The metrics
What Speedmesser actually measures
Speed is not just one number. These five values together tell you how healthy your connection really is.
Upload
How fast data leaves your device. Critical for video calls, cloud backups, live streaming and large file uploads.
Ping (latency)
Your connection's reaction time. Low values (< 20 ms) are ideal for gaming and video calls. High ping makes every click feel sluggish.
Jitter
How much your ping varies between packets. High jitter causes audible glitches in voice calls and stuttering in online games.
Packet loss
The share of data packets that don't reach their destination. Even 1% packet loss can cripple video streams and make online gaming unplayable.
Global servers
Speedmesser uses Cloudflare's global Anycast network with 300+ data centers. The test automatically picks the server closest to you.
Understanding your results
What do my numbers mean?
This table tells you what each speed range is actually good for – and when you should stop accepting too little from your ISP.
| Download | Rating | Good enough for |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 Mbps | Very slow | Email, basic browsing, SD video for one person |
| 10–25 Mbps | Adequate | HD streaming, occasional remote work, small household |
| 25–100 Mbps | Good | 4K streaming on one device, multiple users at once |
| 100–300 Mbps | Very good | Multiple 4K streams, cloud gaming, family with remote workers |
| 300 Mbps – 1 Gbps | Excellent | Streamers, large downloads, every use case |
| > 1 Gbps | Premium fiber | Workstation setups, server links, power users |
Provider reality
What major US ISPs actually deliver
Median values from independent FCC Measuring Broadband America (MBA) data and our own anonymized samples.
| Provider | Technology | Plan advertised | Real median | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | FTTH fiber | 500 Mbps | 490 Mbps | 98% |
| AT&T Fiber | FTTH fiber | 500 Mbps | 475 Mbps | 95% |
| Google Fiber | FTTH fiber | 1 Gbps | 945 Mbps | 95% |
| Xfinity (Comcast) | DOCSIS 3.1 cable | 500 Mbps | 410 Mbps | 82% |
| Spectrum (Charter) | DOCSIS 3.1 cable | 500 Mbps | 395 Mbps | 79% |
| Cox | Cable | 500 Mbps | 360 Mbps | 72% |
| T-Mobile 5G Home | 5G fixed wireless | 200 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 75% |
| Starlink (residential) | LEO satellite | 200 Mbps | 110 Mbps | 55% |
Fiber providers consistently deliver close to advertised speed. Cable degrades at peak hours due to shared coaxial bandwidth. Fixed wireless and satellite vary by location and weather.
Your rights as a consumer
FCC Broadband Labels and what you can do
Since April 2024 every US ISP must publish standardized "Broadband Facts" labels for each plan – similar to nutrition labels. Here's how to use them.
1. Check the label
Your ISP must display a Broadband Facts label at the point of sale and on the bill. It lists typical download/upload speed, latency, monthly price, and any data caps. Demand it if you don't see it.
2. Measure with Speedmesser
Run 3–5 tests across the day, ideally connected via Ethernet directly to the modem. Compare with the typical speeds on your label.
3. File an FCC complaint
If your real speeds are consistently far below the label, file a complaint at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. The FCC forwards it to your ISP, which must respond within 30 days.
4. State attorney general
Many state AGs investigate ISP misrepresentation. Filing a parallel complaint there often accelerates resolution.
Connection types
Fiber vs. cable vs. DSL vs. 5G vs. satellite
| Technology | Max speed | Typical ping | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber (FTTH) | 1–10 Gbps symmetric | 2–10 ms | Excellent |
| Cable (DOCSIS 3.1) | 1 Gbps down / 50 up | 15–40 ms | Peak-hour drops |
| DSL (VDSL) | 100 Mbps | 15–40 ms | Stable |
| 5G fixed wireless | 1 Gbps | 10–30 ms | Location-dependent |
| Starlink (LEO sat) | 250 Mbps | 30–50 ms | Weather-dependent |
Where fiber is available, take it. It outperforms every other technology on every metric. Cable looks great on paper but degrades at peak hours. 5G home Internet is a solid option for rural homes; Starlink works anywhere but is pricier.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does the test work technically?
Your browser opens four parallel HTTPS streams to the Cloudflare speed-test endpoint and measures throughput. Ping uses small HEAD requests, jitter is the standard deviation of those. Everything runs client-side; we don't store your results.
Why is my Wi-Fi slower than my plan?
Walls, neighbor networks and older devices reduce real Wi-Fi throughput. 2.4 GHz tops out around 80 Mbps, 5 GHz Wi-Fi 6 reaches 600–800 Mbps. To measure your actual ISP line, connect via Ethernet.
What's a good ping?
Under 20 ms is excellent (fiber, cable). 20–50 ms is good (DSL, urban fiber). 50–100 ms is acceptable for browsing. Over 100 ms causes noticeable lag in gaming and video calls.
Do you store my data?
No. We have no database of speed-test results, no logs, no cookies tracking measurements. The test runs entirely in your browser and talks only to Cloudflare. Ads are loaded via Google AdSense after consent.
What is jitter and when does it matter?
Jitter is the variation in latency between consecutive packets. Under 5 ms is excellent, up to 30 ms is fine for everyday use, over 30 ms causes audible glitches in voice calls.
How often should I test?
Three to five tests across the day for a realistic picture. Evening hours (7–11 PM) are when networks are most congested – if you score significantly lower then, your ISP is overloaded.
What are FCC Broadband Labels?
Since April 2024, US ISPs must publish standardized labels showing typical speed, latency, price and data caps for each plan. They're enforceable; demand to see yours before signing a contract.
Does the test work over VPN?
Yes, but the result reflects your VPN tunnel's speed, not your ISP's. For accurate ISP measurements, briefly disable VPN, proxies and ad blockers.
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