collaborative post | Internet speed tests are commonly used to assess the performance of a connection, providing an instant look at metrics like download and upload speeds, latency (ping), and packet loss. They work by using your location to choose the closest test server, and then sending a simple signal to the server to get a response. Once connected, the server attempts to download data, the process is measured, and you’re provided with results.
While these tests offer useful insights, they don’t capture the entire picture of an internet connection’s health. Understanding exactly what an internet speed test measures (and what they all miss) can help you make a more realistic performance evaluation and address any issues that may be impacting your speed.
Four key metrics measured by internet speed tests
An internet speed test evaluates the following aspects of an internet connection to provide a quick snapshot of performance:
- Download speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps)
Your download speed is the rate at which your device receives data from a source on the internet. A higher download speed is required for streaming media, participating in video conferencing, and online gaming. Streams become smoother, and downloads get faster as your download speed increases.
- Upload speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps)
Your upload speed is the rate at which data is sent from your device to the internet. A high upload speed is essential for video conferencing, uploading files, and online gaming.
- Latency (ping), measured in milliseconds
Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server, and then back to your device. Lower latency reduces lag while playing games and participating in video calls.
- Jitter, measured in milliseconds
Jitter measures the time delay between the transmission and receipt of a signal. High jitter creates an inconsistent response time, which can cause choppy audio, video glitches, and other disruptions.
The limitations of internet speed tests
While an internet speed test can give you useful information, there are limitations that can impact an accurate interpretation of the results. Here’s what you need to know to get the full picture.
Speed tests are just a snapshot of your internet’s performance at a given time. If you performed a test every 30 minutes, you’d see that speed varies wildly throughout the day. One speed test isn’t enough to determine your overall performance. Temporary, unusual network congestion and other issues can skew the results. However, some network congestion is typical, like during peak usage times. That’s why it’s important to run tests at various times throughout the day to get an idea of when your connection is fastest and when it typically slows down.
Another factor to consider is that the physical distance between the test server and your device can influence test outcomes. Distant servers are likely to show slower speeds. It’s recommended to use nearby servers to get more accurate results when possible.
Device performance can also impact speed test results. Older devices with hardware limitations and multiple processes running in the background can produce results with slower speeds. Testing your internet connection with a newer device is the best way to get a more accurate picture of your network’s performance.
One crucial factor many people overlook is ISP throttling. Some internet plans throttle speeds after a certain amount of data is transferred. This can cause inconsistent test results while you’re being throttled.
Factors not captured by an internet speed test
Beyond the basic metrics a speed test measures, there are a handful of factors that impact speed that are not measured.
- Packet loss. When data packets fail to reach their destination, the result is lost information. This is usually what causes choppy audio, frozen video, and incomplete downloads.
- Quality of Service (QoS). On every network, certain types of traffic get prioritized. This impacts the way bandwidth is allocated and can reduce performance when using certain applications.
- Network stability. Speed tests can’t measure how reliable your network is. For instance, if you get disconnected frequently, that won’t show up in the test results.
- Household factors. A speed test won’t measure the number of devices connected to your network, nor how much bandwidth is being used by each person. These factors can significantly impact test results.
Speed tests are just one part of assessing your network’s health
Although speed tests are helpful, they won’t give you the full picture of your network’s health. If you’re experiencing network problems, you’ll need to perform a full assessment and consider household factors that may be contributing to slower speeds.
A fast internet connection isn’t just about upload and download speeds – it’s about consistency, stability, and quality of service.
