Check download and upload speed: 5+ Tips to get an ACCURATE result

How to run Internet speed tests the right way? 

How to check download speed on Mac, Windows PC, or mobile devices? …

These are, well, very common questions that many Internet users have. 

If you are also looking for the answers to these questions, this blog post is what you should check out right now!

First of all, you need to know what download and upload speeds are and why they are important.

How to check download and upload speed?

Download and upload speeds

Both download speed and upload speed are important specs that tell how good an Internet connection is.

Read on for more details…

Download vs. Upload

Download speed refers to the rate at which data or information is transmitted to your computer (or any other device) from a server on the Internet.

Upload speed refers to the rate at which data moves from your device to the Internet.

Both of them are measured in Mbps - Megabits per second. 

The higher the Mbps values, the faster the speeds, and the better the connection.

Download vs upload

Why do good download and upload speeds matter?

Good Internet speeds allow you to do online activities smoothly. 

You can't enjoy your online games, Netflix or YouTube videos, conversations on video calls, and more without sufficient Internet upload and download speeds.

Due to that, it's always a good idea to perform the Internet speed test before streaming, video calling, or any other activities.

It’s especially important for activities that require a fast and strong connection.

This way, it will be so easy for you to determine if the current Internet speed is enough for the activities you want to engage in. 

Good upload and upload speeds are crucial

But, how to check download speed and upload speed of your connection? 

Read on to find out!

What is a good Internet speed?

Typically, a speed of about 10 Mbps should be adequate for the majority of fundamental Internet tasks, such as web browsing or streaming music and video. 

Yet, you may need a plan with a greater download speed if you have a larger family or a business where many people will be accessing the Internet at once. 

If you intend to stream high-definition video or live audio or video from your computer, a faster speed might also be useful.

For more information, look at the table below:

Internet speed	Suitable online activities
0-5 Mbps	Checking mail Streaming music on 1 device Browsing on the Internet
5-40 Mbps	Streaming music on 1 device Video calling Online gaming for 1 player
40-100 Mbps	Streaming HD video on a few devices Downloading large files Multiplayer online gaming
100-500 Mbps	Streaming video in UHD multiple screens Downloading files quickly Gaming online for multiple players

How to check download and upload speed?

Don’t know how to check download and upload speed?

Here is a detailed guide for you! 

Step 1: Choose a speed test site

It's now easier than ever to measure your Internet connection thanks to a wide range of Internet speed tests available on the Internet these days. 

With a single Google search using keywords like "speed test," or "Internet speed test," you'll get a slew of speed test site suggestions. 

MySpeed, Speedtest.net by Ookla, fast.com by Netflix, speedof.me, testmy.net, ... are among popular and reliable choices. 

Some good speed test sites

They all allow you to check Internet speeds on Windows PC, Mac, mobile devices, and others.

So, opt for one that you find most reliable and good to use.

Step 2: Run the test

Visit the speed test site that you've chosen, then follow its instructions to start the test.

Normally, there's a big "GO" or "Start" button on the screen, and you need to click that button, then the test will begin right away.

Click the “GO” button

Step 3: Get the results

Within just a few seconds of waiting, you will receive the test results.

It typically includes at least 03 metrics: download speed, upload speed, and ping (latency).

The definition of the first two has been mentioned previously.

As for ping, it is the length of time needed for a tiny data set to be transported from your device to an Internet server and back.

Measured in ms (milliseconds), the lower the ms value, the lower the ping, the more responsive the connection.

3 specs appear after testing

Based on the results, you will find out how fast and stable your Internet connection is.

Well, running a speed test is so easy, isn't it? 

Next, let’s get some simple tips to perform the tests the right way to avoid the situation like Why is my download speed slower than speed test?

Good tips for running speed tests

As you can see, running a speed test is so quick and easy. 

However, no speed test is 100% accurate. 

A lot of factors can affect the accuracy of the test. 

But if you run the test more properly, you will have more accurate measurements of your connection. 

Following are some great tips for running speed tests the right way that you should know.

• Use a wired connection

• Get closer to the router

• Remove other devices from your network

• Close unnecessary applications and programs

• Don’t count on just a single test

• Others…

Let’s get the details!

Use a wired connection

If possible, conduct the test using a wired Internet connection instead of WiFi (wireless Internet). 

Since the wireless signals are all transmitted through the air, they are considered slower and less stable. 

Conducting speed tests over a WiFi connection will skew your results, and slower speeds are to be expected.

You should use an Ethernet cable

Get closer to the router

If the device you are using to conduct the test doesn't have an ethernet port and using WiFi is the only choice, make sure that you are close to the router.

The closer, the better! 

It will help you minimize the effects of factors like distance, wireless interference, and physical obstructions.

Ensure you’re close to the router

Remove other devices from your network

For the best results, disconnect other Internet-connected devices such as laptops, phones, tablets, etc. 

These extra devices can eat up your bandwidth, resulting in inaccurate results.

Avoid having too many devices connect to your network

Close unnecessary programs and applications

Not-in-use programs are also using your bandwidth. 

So, for more accurate speed test results, you need to ensure that nothing consumes additional Internet bandwidth on the device used to conduct the test.

Luckily, you can easily reduce background processes on PC using Task Manager (for Windows 10).

Follow our instructions below:

• Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

Open Task Manager

• Step 2: Tap Process to check all running processes and applications background on your PC

Choose Process

• Step 3: Choose any unnecessary background processes and click End task

Click End task to finish

Don't use the Internet while you are testing it. 

That's an important tip!

Don’t count on just a single test

Just a single speed test is not enough to give you the complete picture of your connection. 

According to otelco.com, running different tests at different times of the day (and even the week), and then averaging the results is a great idea.

Consider running the speed test several times

Other tips

Before starting the test, you should restart the router and the device you will be using to conduct your speed check.

In addition, it's also good to clear your browser cache, choose the closest server to your location, conduct the test on different devices if possible, etc.

Restarting the router is a good idea