How Speed Tests Work

A speed test measures the performance of your internet connection by analyzing three key metrics: download speed, upload speed, and latency (ping). These measurements help you understand if you're getting the internet speeds you're paying for and can identify potential issues with your connection.

Download speed measures how quickly data travels from the internet to your device, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This affects activities like streaming videos, downloading files, and loading web pages. Higher download speeds mean faster loading times and smoother streaming.

Typical activities: Streaming 4K video requires ~25 Mbps, HD video needs ~5 Mbps, and web browsing works well with ~3-5 Mbps.

Upload speed measures how quickly data travels from your device to the internet, also measured in Mbps. This is crucial for video calls, uploading files to cloud storage, live streaming, and sending emails with attachments. Upload speeds are typically lower than download speeds in most residential connections.

Typical activities: Video conferencing requires ~3-4 Mbps upload, while live streaming in HD needs ~5-10 Mbps.

Ping (or latency) measures the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower ping times mean more responsive connections, which is especially important for online gaming, video calls, and real-time applications.

Good ping: <20ms (excellent), 20-50ms (good), 50-100ms (average), >100ms (poor for gaming/calls)

Speedoko uses multiple test servers to ensure accurate measurements. When you start a test:

1. We measure latency by sending small packets to our servers and timing the response
2. Download speed is tested by downloading data from our servers and measuring the transfer rate
3. Upload speed is tested by uploading data to our servers and measuring the transfer rate

Multiple samples are taken during each test to ensure accuracy and account for network fluctuations. The final result represents the average performance of your connection during the test period.

Several factors can affect your speed test results:

• Network congestion: More users on your network or ISP can slow speeds
• WiFi vs Ethernet: Wired connections are typically faster and more stable
• Device performance: Older devices may not support maximum speeds
• Background applications: Other apps using bandwidth can affect results
• Server distance: Tests to farther servers may show slower speeds
• Time of day: Peak usage hours can result in slower speeds