To check internet speed, you can use an internet speed test, which measures how fast data downloads to and uploads from your device. Typically, you visit a website with a speed test tool and click a button like "Start" to begin the test. The test usually measures three key things:
- Download speed: How quickly data comes to your device from the internet.
- Upload speed: How quickly data from your device goes onto the internet.
- Ping (latency): The time for data to travel to a server and back, indicating connection responsiveness.
These tests open multiple data connections to a nearby server to use the full bandwidth and provide accurate results. You get a numeric readout of your speeds in Mbps (megabits per second) and ping in milliseconds. Popular websites where you can check internet speed for free include SpeedSmart.net, TestMySpeed.com, Speedtest.net by Ookla, Fast.com, and many others. For best accuracy, close other applications using the internet, avoid VPNs, and test at different times of day. This method helps you verify if your internet provider delivers the speeds you pay for and troubleshoot slow internet issues.
