Why do speed test results vary?

Results vary due to Wi‑Fi congestion, server distance, time-of-day contention, device limits, and TCP ramp-up behavior.

How do I get an accurate speed test?

Use wired Ethernet if possible, close background apps, pick a nearby server, and run multiple tests at different times.

What is a good ping for gaming?

Under 30 ms is excellent, 30–60 ms is good, 60–100 ms is fair; lower is always better for responsiveness.

How Speed Tests Work: Methods, Myths, and What Matters

Published 2025-10-18 · 8–10 min read

What a Speed Test actually measures

Most modern speed tests measure three things: download throughput (how fast you receive data), upload throughput (how fast you send data), and latency (how long it takes data to make a round trip). Our test uses parallel connections and real transfers to Cloudflare to simulate real-world conditions.

Why results can differ between tests

Wi‑Fi vs wired: Wi‑Fi interference can cap speed; Ethernet gives cleaner results.
Server distance: Longer routes add latency and reduce achievable throughput.
Time of day: Evening congestion can reduce available bandwidth.
Device limits: Older CPUs, NICs, or browsers may bottleneck.
TCP ramp-up & buffers: Short tests may under-report peak speed; buffers can inflate or deflate numbers.

How to test accurately

Use a wired connection if possible.
Close downloads, streams, and background sync apps.
Place your device near the router if using Wi‑Fi 5/6/7.
Run multiple tests at different times; average the results.
Compare against ISP plan speed and router capabilities.

Download vs Upload vs Ping: what’s “good”?

For most homes, 100+ Mbps download and 10+ Mbps upload handle 4K streaming, large downloads, and cloud backups. For gaming and calls, focus on ping under 60 ms and low jitter.