How to Run a Speed Test
A speed test is only useful if you run it correctly. Here's the simple checklist that gives you a real reading of your line.
Before you start
- Pause any active downloads, streaming, video calls and OS updates on every device on your network.
- If you can, plug your laptop into the router with an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi tests are useful but not authoritative.
- Close all browser tabs except the speed test page.
- Quit cloud-sync apps (Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive) - they use background bandwidth.
Run the test
Open our speed test page and tap "Start". The test takes about 30 seconds and produces four numbers: download, upload, ping and jitter.
Run the test 3 times and take the median (middle) result - a single test can be skewed by a transient blip.
Read the results
- Download should be ≥80% of your line speed (e.g. 80 Mbps on a 100/100 line).
- Upload on a symmetric line should match download.
- Ping under 20 ms; jitter under 5 ms.
If your wired result is much lower than expected, contact your ISP. If your Wi-Fi result is much lower than your wired result, the problem is your Wi-Fi setup - not your fibre line.
Frequently asked questions
Last reviewed by the Fastest Fibre editorial team.
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