Checking your internet speed can provide critical insights into your connection and help identify issues affecting your online experience.
To check your internet speed effectively, follow these steps for accurate and relevant results.
Steps to Prepare for Your Speed Test
First, select a reliable speed test tool. Popular options include Speedtest by Ookla, Fast.com (by Netflix), and Google’s built-in tool (just search ‘internet speed test’).
Before running the test, prepare your environment: restart your router or modem if you haven’t done so recently.
Close other applications or tabs using the internet to reduce interference.
For the most reliable data, disconnect other devices and consider using a wired (Ethernet) connection when possible.
Run multiple tests at different times of the day, as network congestion may vary (consider peak evening hours versus mid-morning).
If your chosen tool allows it, test from various servers or locations.
Analyze the results: download speed (measured in Mbps) indicates how quickly data comes to you—crucial for streaming and downloads; upload speed reveals how fast data goes out, which matters for gaming and video calls.
Additionally, pay attention to ping/latency (measured in ms); lower latency means quicker communication with the server, which is important for real-time activities.
Lastly, note jitter; lower jitter indicates a more stable connection, greatly beneficial for gaming or video calls.
