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How to check your internet speed: A complete guide

Zen May 2 2024 9 minutes

Checking your internet speed isn’t just for tech geeks. It helps you understand your connection, spot problems quickly, and ensure you’re getting the broadband service you pay for.

Whether you’re a casual web surfer or a hardcore gamer, this guide will help you find out how to check your internet speed and cover everything you need to know about troubleshooting and getting the most out of your connection.

But first, here's the TL;DR version in video form:

Understanding speed tests: what does a broadband speed test measure?

An internet speed test includes several key factors:

Download speed test: How quickly your device receives data (essential for streaming, downloading large files, and browsing).
Upload speed test: How quickly you send data to the internet (important for video calls, file sharing, and online gaming).
Ping test: Measures latency, or how long it takes for a small packet of data to travel from your device to a server on the internet and back again. Think of ping like the reaction time of your connection. Lower ping is crucial for real-time applications like gaming and video calls, where delays can be very noticeable.

Now, we know that nowhere quite does confusing jargon like the world of broadband, so here’s the speed test basics:

Internet speeds are measured in Mbps (megabits per second). There are 8 megabits (Mb) in a megabyte and, rather unhelpfully, file sizes (for downloads, streams, etc.) tend to be measure in megabytes (or MB). So, with a 1Mbps connection, you might expect to download a 1MB file in 8 seconds!
Higher numbers mean faster speeds. Imagine downloading a big movie file. With a 20Mbps connection, it’ll download faster than with a 5Mbps connection. The higher that Mbps number, the quicker you’ll be able to access things like websites, videos and downloads.
Speed tests work for all connection types, so you can test your broadband speed easily no matter your type of broadband connection. Whether you have a full fibre connection, copper broadband, or even dial-up (does anyone still use that?), speed tests give you the same kind of information. They measure how fast data moves in and out of your network, no matter how it gets to your home.

How to conduct a speed test

‘How do I test my broadband speed’ is a question we hear regularly, but thankfully the answer is very simple. And it starts with choosing a speed test tool:

There are many reliable speed test tools available. Here’s a link to the tool we often use. It’s easy to use and provides accurate results.
Popular options that many broadband users choose includes Speedtest by Ookla and Fast.com.
While there may be slight variations, most of the speed test options you find online will give you a strong baseline of your speeds. Finding the most accurate internet speed test is less important than consistency – use the same tool for comparisons over time.

‘But how do I actually do the test?’ Quite simply is the answer. Here’s the four-step process you need to follow:

For the most reliable results, connect your device directly to your router via an Ethernet cable. This eliminates any potential WiFi bottlenecks. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing a speed check over WiFi too. That’s a great way of checking the speed you’re getting to an individual device.
Close any other programs or browser tabs that might use bandwidth, especially any actively downloading or streaming. It stands to reason that if you’re using the internet for something else while doing a speed test, you probably won’t get an accurate result.
Visit your chosen speed test site and start the test.
The test will measure upload speed, download speed, and ping, providing results in Mbps.

Troubleshooting internet speed issues

Having issues with your internet speed? Here are some common problems that users face:

Why is my download speed so slow?
- Network congestion: Too many devices sharing the connection, especially during peak hours, can impact your speeds. Try staggering your usage to avoid peak times and consider a device-limiting feature on your router for finer control.
- Outdated router or modem: Check with the manufacturer for the recommended lifespan of your equipment. If it’s more than 5 years old, depending on the type of broadband you’re using (e.g. full fibre rather than regular copper broadband), an upgrade could provide a substantial boost.
- WiFi interference: Experiment with placing your router in different spots. If possible, keep it away from appliances like microwaves, which can interfere with the signal.
- ISP issues: Monitor your speeds throughout the day – if they drop at specific times, contact your ISP to see if there’s an issue at their end or outside of your property.
Internet speeds keep dropping
- Loose or damaged cables: Carefully inspect all connections (from the wall to your router and from the router to your device). A worn-out cable or loose fitting can compromise the connection, leading to drops.
- Router problems: ‘Have you tried turning it on and off again’! A full power cycle (unplug the router for 30 seconds) often resolves temporary glitches.
How to fix slow internet speed
- Optimise your setup: If WiFi is the issue, try placing your router more centrally for better coverage, minimise obstacles between your device and the router, and try to use the 5GHz band on devices that support it.
- Upgrade your equipment: Check with your ISP for the recommended speeds for your plan. You may need a better router to handle the full potential speed. For example, on a 900Mbps full fibre connection, you might benefit from a WiFi 6 enabled router for faster access on your wireless devices.
- Manage your network usage: Most modern routers offer Quality of Service (QoS) settings. These allow you to prioritise specific devices or traffic types (gaming, video streaming) to ensure the highest performance when needed.
How to improve WiFi speed
- Conduct a WiFi speed test on multiple devices to see if your issue is WiFi or even device specific.
- WiFi extenders/Mesh systems: These help blanket larger or old homes (with thick walls) with a strong signal. We recommend Zen EveryRoom for wall-to-wall coverage throughout the house.
- Check for firmware updates: Router and device manufacturers sometimes release firmware updates that improve performance.

Determining your internet speed needs

Now you know how to do an internet speed test, and how to troubleshoot your connection, what about determining your speed needs? Here’s the quick guide:

Casual browsing: A few Mbps will suffice, but even basic websites load noticeable faster on higher-speed connections. If browsing is all you do though, most broadband options will be fine.
Streaming HD video: Around 5Mbps per stream is the minimum. If you’re doing multiple streams, you’ll need to multiply this number. And it’s probably a good idea to have a little bit of additional bandwidth to avoid buffering and allow you to check your smartphone without slowing the whole connection down.
4K streaming: 25Mbps is recommended for a smooth experience. Again, if multiple simultaneous 4K streams are likely on your network you’ll want to multiply this number.
Gaming: It’s true that gaming doesn’t need a particularly fast internet connection. As long as it’s reliable and ping is low, you’ll happily be able to play online games. But consider one really important factor: game downloads. Whether you’re downloading a new game from Steam or a patch or update, many of these files can run into the tens of gigabytes in size (and remember what we said about a byte being 8 bits?). To get these files downloaded and get back into your gaming, you might want to go for the fastest available connection.

Other factors to consider include upload speed (crucial if you regularly work from home, share large files, or live stream your gameplay), and the number of devices in your home (the more people and ‘smart’ devices you have, the more speed you’ll need to keep everyone connected smoothly).

So what internet speed do I need?

Finding the right speed can seem overwhelming. Thankfully, speed recommendation tools can help!

What is a speed recommendation tool’, we hear you ask? What a good question! Here’s the answer.

These are typically online calculators or forms that ask you a series of questions about your internet usage such as:

Number of people in your household: More people means more potential devices using the internet simultaneously.
Types of online activities: Streaming, gaming, video calls, etc. all have different bandwidth needs.
Number of connected devices: Smart home devices, laptops, tablets, etc. all contribute to the overall network demand.

The tool then uses this information to provide a personalised recommendation for download and upload speeds that would comfortably meet your needs. Try using a tool like the one on HighSpeedInternet.com ( https://www.highspeedinternet.com/how-much-internet-speed-do-i-need) for easy guidance.

Beyond the basics

Beyond the raw numbers your speed test gives you, it’s important to consider your specific needs. Are you a heavy gamer, a family with multiple streamers, or just a casual web surfer. Let’s break down a couple of the things you might want to consider for getting the most out of your internet.

Check internet speed on phone: Most speed test sites have mobile-friendly versions or even dedicated apps. Checking on your phone is a really convenient way of measuring your WiFi speed, but it’s also the best way to determine how much speed you’re getting on your device itself (useful if you’re video calling and uploading photos from your smartphone, for example). Remember to check you’re connected to WiFi before running your speed test though. You don’t want to accidentally use up a chunk of your mobile data allowance.
Is my internet speed good for gaming?
- Prioritise low ping: Ideally, look for connections under 50ms. Some games display your ping in the settings (though sometimes these may be ‘server side’ readings and therefore not related to your actual connection). Tools like Speedtest by Ookla can help you do a ping test to specific game servers.
- Download speeds: Online competitive games often have small initial downloads, but like we’ve already said, frequent patches can be hefty. A faster connection minimises waiting for updates. And if you’re using a cloud gaming service, these require fast and stable connections – the faster the better in this case - as the game is running remotely.