A broadband speed test tells you exactly how fast your internet connection actually is. Running one takes less than a minute — and the results can tell you whether you are getting the speeds you are paying for.
In this guide
What is a broadband speed test?
A broadband speed test measures how quickly data travels between your device and the internet. It works by sending and receiving small amounts of data to a test server and measuring how long this takes — consequently calculating your download speed, upload speed and latency in real time.
Speed tests are completely free to use and take around 60 seconds to complete. Furthermore they give you an accurate picture of your current connection performance — not just the headline speed your broadband package advertises.
How to run a broadband speed test
Running a speed test is straightforward. Here are the best free tools and how to use them:
fast.com ⭐ Recommended
Run by Netflix. Simply go to fast.com and the test starts automatically. Additionally click Show more info to see upload speed and ping. Very simple and accurate.
speedtest.net
The most widely used speed test tool. Go to speedtest.net and click Go. Furthermore it shows download, upload and ping in one clear result and lets you choose which server to test against.
Ofcom broadband speed checker
Available at checker.ofcom.org.uk — useful because it also shows you what speeds Ofcom estimates should be available at your address, allowing a direct comparison with your actual results.
Step by step:
1. Go to fast.com or speedtest.net on your device
2. Make sure no other devices are heavily using the internet — pause downloads and streaming
3. Click the test button and wait around 60 seconds
4. Note your download speed, upload speed and ping
5. Compare results to your broadband package’s advertised speed
6. Run the test 2-3 times at different times of day for a more accurate picture
Understanding your speed test results
A speed test typically shows three key measurements. Furthermore each tells you something different about your connection:
Download speed — the most important figure
Download speed measures how quickly data travels from the internet to your device. It is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and is the figure most people refer to when talking about broadband speed.
Download speed affects streaming, browsing, downloading files and loading web pages. Consequently it is the most relevant figure for most everyday internet activities.
📺 SD video streaming — needs 3Mbps
📺 HD video streaming — needs 5-8Mbps
📺 4K video streaming — needs 15-25Mbps
💻 Working from home — needs 10-25Mbps
🎮 Online gaming — needs 3-25Mbps
⬇️ Large game download (100GB) — at 100Mbps takes ~2 hours
Upload speed — often overlooked
Upload speed measures how quickly data travels from your device to the internet. It is typically much lower than download speed on standard broadband — however it becomes critically important for video calls, streaming your own content, uploading large files and cloud backups.
Full fibre (FTTP) broadband offers significantly better upload speeds than standard fibre. Furthermore if you work from home and frequently use video calls upload speed can be as important as download speed for a smooth experience.
Ping and latency — crucial for gaming and calls
Ping — also called latency — measures the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). Furthermore lower is always better when it comes to ping.
What if my speeds are lower than expected?
Under Ofcom rules broadband providers must give customers a Minimum Guaranteed Speed when they sign up. Furthermore if your speeds consistently fall below this minimum you have the right to exit your contract without paying exit fees.
If your speeds are consistently below your guaranteed minimum:
1. Contact your provider — report the issue and give them a chance to fix it
2. Keep a record — run speed tests at different times of day and save the results
3. Allow time to fix — your provider typically has 30 days to resolve the issue
4. Exit if not fixed — if speeds are still below minimum after 30 days you can leave penalty-free
5. Switch to a faster deal — compare and switch to a better broadband package
Not getting the speeds you pay for?
Compare faster broadband deals for your postcode. Free, no obligation.
Compare broadband deals →Tips for getting the most accurate speed test result
Speed test results can vary depending on several factors. Consequently following these tips gives you the most accurate picture of your true broadband speed:
🔌 Use a wired ethernet connection — connecting directly to your router eliminates Wi-Fi as a variable and gives the most accurate broadband speed reading
📱 Stop other internet activity — pause any downloads, streaming or cloud backups on all devices before testing
🕐 Test at different times — run tests in the morning, afternoon and evening. Furthermore compare results — consistently slow evening speeds suggest network congestion
📍 Test close to the router — if testing over Wi-Fi sit close to the router to minimise Wi-Fi signal as a factor
🔄 Run multiple tests — run three or four tests and take the average rather than relying on a single result
Related guides
What broadband speed do I need? → Why is my broadband so slow? → How to boost your Wi-Fi signal →Find faster broadband for your postcode
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Compare broadband deals →Written by the FastSwitch team · Last updated June 2026
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