How to test your internet speed?

Testing your internet speed could be a simple straightforward action. Open your favorite speed test and click at the "Start" button.

After you have an answer (for example the answer is 42), (...) you may ask yourself, “Am I right? Am I wrong?” (...).

That is a good question. The answer depends on several factors. Let's explain ...

42 Mbps might be great

When you wanted to measure the bandwidth of your home network, 42 Mbps is a great answer.

According to FCC's Household Broadband Guide one high use user requires 12 to 25 Mbps. So 42 Mbps is fine. Your internet speed is more than enough.

If you have an internet subscription of 40 Mbps, then 42 Mbps is even an excellent result (your real internet speed is 12% higher than the advertised internet speed, hence this is a realistic scenario when you use a realistic speed test).

42 Mbps might be a sign

If you have an internet subscription of 50 Mbps or higher and you measure 42 Mbps, this is most likely a sign that your home network is not optimal.

Reasons why your home network is not optimal might be (in random order):

  1. there is a kink in a cable
  2. your Wi-Fi router is not optimally placed (concrete, stones, aquariums have a negative influence, also distance could be a factor)
  3. Wi-Fi Interference from other electronic devices (a lot of neighbours using the same channel, a working magnetron (which might be killing))
  4. your modem or router is not correctly configured
  5. someone or something at your home network consumes a lot of data (large downloads have a huge impact on the measured speed)
  6. your hardware can't handle more bits per second

It isn't necessary that there is one reason, it could be a combination of reasons. And of course there might be other reasons.

The only way to find out if your home network is the bottleneck is by testing the speed delivered by your ISP properly.

42 Mbps might be bad

To be sure that your home network isn't the bottleneck, you should properly test the internet speed delivered by your ISP.

How to test internet speed properly?

Properly testing means that you don't want to use your home network while testing. You can do this by using RealSpeed ​​or by using a classic recommended speed test.

Use RealSpeed

RealSpeed does measure your router's internet speed and your device's internet speed. The router's internet speed is the speed you want to know. Test several times on different days to assess how consistent the router's internet speed is.

Use a classic recommended speed test

When RealSpeed is not available you should use a classic recommended speed test.

To test without your home network you should disconnect your home network if possible and connect your laptop (or computer) directly, with an ethernet cable, to the internet modem provided by your ISP.

Because large downloads have a huge impact on the speed measured, it is recommended to test on an updated system as a sole user.

You can obtain a good baseline measurement by testing at least 10 times with M-Lab, Ookla Speedtest or the speed test of your ISP (which is often an Ookla clone) during at least 3 days.

Preferably always use the same speed test and after each test, write down the date and time you tested and of course the measured internet speed.

Internet speed to low?

You can compare your results with the internet subscription you have taken out. If you find that your internet speed is (too often) unacceptably low, it is wise to contact your ISP's helpdesk and ask if they can check whether it is true that your internet speed is too slow.