Slow internet got you buffering longer than usual? It’s easy to check to be sure you’re actually getting what you’re paying for from your Internet Service Provider. The results will also help you know what streaming services or how many devices your coverage will be able to handle. It’s also helpful to know that lagging video or long download time is your internet speed or some other problem.
If you’ve never tested your internet speed before, there’s an easy way to try it out. Google provides a free speed test that will show you just how fast your internet really is, and if it’s performing correctly.
Here’s how to test your internet speed
Simply type “Speed Test” into your Google search bar and hit enter. This will display a free speed test at the top of the search results. Just click on Run Speed Test to start.
Other sites to test internet speed
While a quick Google search is the easiest option, it isn’t the only option for testing internet speed. The Ookla speed test is one of the most well known, showing your connection’s ping response, download speeds, and upload speeds. Fast.com is a Netflix powered speed test. Finally, speedof.me is a test that allows you to track your speed and compare it to previous speed tests you’ve taken.
The test will give you a specific result of how fast your internet really is operating measured in megabits per second, or “Mbps.” Knowing how fast your internet is will give you a good idea of what you can do with it. 1-3 Mbps is the bare minimum that gets you through day to day online activities like checking email, surfing the web, and using social media, but it’s not great for streaming video or gaming. 3-4 Mbps is the minimum speed required for most streaming services like Netflix, and 5-10 is required for HD content. It’s likely you’ll still see a lot of frustrating buffering during videos, especially if you have more than one device in your home. 10-20 Mbps is really the minimum you’ll want to shoot for to get a reliable and consistent internet experience.
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