Initializing Speed Test Engine...
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about interpreting your results.
Connection Benchmarks
Average max speeds by technology type (Mbps)
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Compare the top ISPs in your area and find a plan that matches your true speed needs.
Verification Strategy
Ensure you're getting what you pay for. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) often promise speeds they don't deliver.
Performance Benchmarks
Download speed affects streaming and browsing. Upload speed matters for video calls and gaming.
What Does a Broadband Speed Test Actually Measure?
Understanding your results is the first step to fixing slow internet. Here's what each metric means and what speeds you should expect when running a broadband speed test.
Download Speed
Download speed measures how quickly data travels from the internet to your device. This is the number that matters most for everyday browsing, streaming Netflix, downloading files, and loading web pages. It's measured in Megabits per second (Mbps).
HD streaming: 5-10 Mbps per device
4K streaming: 25-35 Mbps per device
Large file downloads: 50+ Mbps recommended
Upload Speed
Upload speed measures how fast data travels from your device to the internet. This matters for video calls on Zoom or Teams, uploading photos to social media, sending large email attachments, and cloud storage syncing.
Video calls: 3-5 Mbps per participant
Working from home: 10+ Mbps recommended
Content creators: 20+ Mbps for uploads
Ping (Latency)
Ping measures the reaction time of your connection — how quickly your device gets a response after sending a request. Measured in milliseconds (ms), lower is better. High ping causes lag in online gaming, delays in video calls, and sluggish page interactions.
Excellent: Under 20ms
Good: 20-50ms
Poor: 100ms+ (noticeable lag)
Jitter
Jitter measures the variation in ping over time. Even if your average ping is low, high jitter means your connection is inconsistent — packets arrive at irregular intervals. This makes video calls stutter, gaming feel unpredictable, and VoIP calls drop.
Excellent: Under 5ms
Acceptable: 5-15ms
Poor: 30ms+ (noticeable disruption)
UK Average Broadband Speeds in 2026
According to Ofcom data, the UK average download speed is approximately 69.4 Mbps, though this varies significantly by connection type and location. Full fibre (FTTP) connections now reach 78% of UK homes, with the government targeting 96% coverage by 2027.
10-50
ADSL / DSL
36-80
FTTC (Part Fibre)
300-1000
Full Fibre (FTTP)
100-300
5G Home
Speeds shown in Mbps. Actual speeds depend on your provider, location, and connection type.
Tips for Getting Accurate Speed Test Results
Use a wired connection
Connect via Ethernet for the most accurate results. Wi-Fi introduces variability.
Close other apps
Pause downloads, streaming, and cloud syncing before testing.
Test multiple times
Run 3 tests at different times of day to spot peak-hour slowdowns.
Restart your router first
A quick reboot clears temporary issues that slow your connection.