Paying for fast broadband and not getting it? Run the free speed test below. It takes about 30 seconds and shows your real download speed, upload speed and ping. Then read on to see what the numbers mean and what to do if they are lower than they should be.
Test your broadband speed now
For the most accurate result, plug into your router with an Ethernet cable if you can, close anything streaming or downloading, and run the test 2 or 3 times at different points in the day.
What your speed test results mean
A speed test measures how quickly data moves between your device and a nearby server. You will see 3 or 4 numbers.
Download speed (Mbps): how fast data reaches you. This is the headline figure providers advertise and the one that matters for streaming, browsing and downloads. 4K streaming needs roughly 25Mbps per screen.
Upload speed (Mbps): how fast data leaves you. It matters for video calls, cloud backups and sending large files. Most copper and part-fibre packages have much lower upload than download. Full fibre is often symmetrical.
Ping or latency (ms): the round trip time to the server. Lower is better. Under 20ms is excellent, under 50ms is fine for gaming and calls, and over 100ms will feel sluggish.
Jitter (ms): how much your ping varies. High jitter causes choppy calls and stuttering games even when the headline speeds look good.
Is your speed what you are paying for?
Compare your download result with the speed on your contract. Ofcom’s Voluntary Code of Practice means most big providers must give you a minimum guaranteed speed at sign up. If your tested speed sits below that guarantee for 30 days after you report it, you can usually leave your contract without paying an exit fee.
Bear in mind a Wi-Fi test will almost always come in lower than a wired one. If your wired speed is fine but Wi-Fi is poor, the problem is in your home, not the line.
How to get an accurate reading
1. Use an Ethernet cable where possible, or stand close to the router.
2. Close streaming, downloads and cloud sync on every device, not just the one you are testing with.
3. Pick a UK server if the tool lets you choose.
4. Test at least 3 times, including one run between 8pm and 10pm when networks are busiest.
5. Keep a note of the results and dates. You will need them if you complain to your provider.
Other speed test tools
If you want a second opinion, Speedtest by Ookla is the most widely used and lets you pick the server. Fast.com, run by Netflix, measures download only and is good for checking streaming performance. Searching “speed test” on Google runs a quick in-browser test with no extra clutter.
Fixing a slow connection
Restart the router. Turn it off for 30 seconds and back on. It fixes more problems than it should.
Move the router. Put it somewhere central, off the floor and away from the TV, microwave and thick walls. Avoid hiding it in a cupboard.
Change the Wi-Fi band. 5GHz is faster at short range, 2.4GHz travels further. Most routers let you connect to each separately.
Cut the crowd. Every connected phone, TV and smart speaker shares the same bandwidth. Disconnect what you are not using.
Check for interference. Old microfilters, long phone extension leads and faulty cabling all drag down copper connections.
Call your provider. If a wired test is still well below your guaranteed speed, report it. They have 30 days to fix it.
Still slow? Switch to something faster
If your line simply cannot deliver what you need, the fix is a better connection, not another router reboot. Full fibre now covers most UK homes and often costs less than an old copper package out of contract. Pop your postcode into our comparison to see what is available at your address.
