Frequently Asked Questions

Our speed test is designed to be as accurate as possible, but results can vary based on many factors including network congestion, server location, your device performance, and WiFi interference. For best results, we recommend running multiple tests at different times of day and using a wired Ethernet connection when possible.

Internet speeds fluctuate constantly due to:

• Network congestion (more users online during peak hours)
• ISP network conditions
• Server load at the time of testing
• Background applications using bandwidth
• WiFi interference from nearby networks or devices

This is normal. Run several tests and look at the average to get a better picture of your connection speed.

Download speed measures how fast data travels from the internet to your device, measured in Mbps (Megabits per second). This affects how quickly web pages load, videos stream, and files download. Higher is better. Most activities like browsing and streaming rely heavily on download speed.

Upload speed measures how fast data travels from your device to the internet. This is important for:

• Video calls and conferencing
• Uploading files to cloud storage
• Live streaming
• Sending emails with attachments
• Online gaming (sending player actions)

Upload speed is typically lower than download speed on most residential internet connections.

Ping measures how long it takes for data to travel to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower is better. Ping is crucial for:

• Online gaming (affects responsiveness)
• Video conferencing (affects lag)
• VoIP calls
• Real-time applications

Ping ratings: Under 20ms = Excellent, 20-50ms = Good, 50-100ms = Average, 100ms+ = Poor for gaming

It depends on your usage:

• 1-5 Mbps: Email, web browsing, standard definition streaming
• 5-25 Mbps: HD video streaming, video calls, light online gaming
• 25-100 Mbps: Multiple HD streams, gaming, large downloads
• 100+ Mbps: 4K streaming, multiple heavy users, smart home devices
• 500+ Mbps: Large households, heavy simultaneous usage, 8K streaming

Several reasons:

• WiFi vs Ethernet: WiFi is almost always slower than wired connections
• Peak hours: Slower during evenings when more people are online
• ISP throttling: Some ISPs limit speeds during certain times or activities
• Old equipment: Outdated routers or modems can bottleneck speeds
• "Up to" speeds: ISPs advertise maximum speeds, not guaranteed speeds
• Network congestion: Too many devices using the connection simultaneously

Try these tips:

• Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of WiFi
• Move your router to a central location
• Restart your modem and router
• Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs
• Update your router's firmware
• Scan for malware that might be using bandwidth
• Contact your ISP if speeds are consistently far below what you're paying for
• Upgrade your router if it's more than 5 years old

Multi Connection Mode: Tests using multiple parallel connections simultaneously. This better represents real-world usage where multiple streams of data are often transferred at once (like loading a webpage with many images).

Single Connection Mode: Tests using one connection at a time. This can be useful for troubleshooting or testing specific scenarios.

Most users should use Multi mode for more realistic results.

Yes, running a speed test uses a small amount of your data allowance (if you have one). A typical test uses 10-100 MB depending on your connection speed. If you're on a limited mobile data plan, be aware that running frequent tests could consume your data allowance.

Yes! speedtst.online works on all devices including smartphones and tablets. For most accurate mobile internet testing, make sure:

• You have good signal strength
• You're testing over your mobile data (not WiFi) if that's what you want to measure
• Close other apps that might be using data

Your test history is stored locally in your browser using localStorage. This means:

• Data stays on your device, not on our servers
• History is private and not shared
• Clearing browser data will delete your history
• History doesn't sync between devices or browsers
• You can clear it anytime using the "Clear History" button

Yes! speedtst.online is completely free to use. There are no subscriptions, no hidden fees, and no registration required. You can run unlimited speed tests whenever you want.

While our speed test results can be useful evidence when discussing service quality with your ISP, we recommend:

• Running multiple tests over several days at different times
• Taking screenshots of consistent slow results
• Using multiple speed test services for comparison
• Testing with a wired connection for most accurate results

Keep in mind that ISPs typically advertise "up to" speeds, not guaranteed speeds, so some variation is normal.

Internet speeds vary throughout the day because:

• Peak hours (evening 6-11pm) = More users online = Slower speeds
• Off-peak hours (late night/early morning) = Fewer users = Faster speeds
• Business hours may show different patterns depending on your neighborhood

Testing at different times gives you a complete picture of your connection's performance.