Internet speed test results explained: download, upload, ping and jitter
A speed test gives you four numbers in about 30 seconds. Here’s what they mean and how to read them. You can run one now on our speed test page.
Download (Mbps)
How fast data reaches you, in megabits per second. It affects streaming, downloads and loading pages. Higher is better. Your result can’t be faster than your plan, and is often a bit lower, especially over Wi-Fi.
Upload (Mbps)
How fast you can send data: video calls, sending files, cloud backups and live streaming. Most home plans have much lower upload than download, so a smaller number here is normal.
Ping, or latency (ms)
How long a tiny message takes to get to the test server and back, in milliseconds. Lower is better. It’s what makes games and video calls feel responsive. Our test also shows ping while downloading. If that’s much higher than normal ping, your connection gets laggy when it’s busy (often called bufferbloat).
Jitter (ms)
How much the ping varies from moment to moment. Low jitter means a steady connection. High jitter causes choppy calls and stuttering games even when download speed looks fine.
What the ratings mean
After the test we show whether your connection looks good for video streaming, online gaming and video calls. These ratings come from Cloudflare’s open-source test engine and combine speed, latency and jitter. They’re a guide, not a guarantee.
How to get an accurate result
- Plug into your modem with a cable if you can. Wi-Fi through walls can easily halve your speed.
- Pause downloads, streaming and backups on other devices.
- Run the test two or three times and at different times of day. The ACCC measures “busy hours” as 7 pm to 11 pm, when networks are usually most congested.
- Close VPNs, which route your traffic through another server.
Results consistently slow?
Restart your modem, try a cable, and test again. If it’s still well below what you pay for, contact your provider with your results and the times you tested. If the problem isn’t resolved, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman may help.
Our results measure your connection to Cloudflare’s network and can differ from other speed tests or your provider’s own tools.
General information only, not professional advice. Is It Down AU is independent and not affiliated with any provider mentioned.
