Download speeds are how fast your device receives data from the internet during online activities like loading a movie, surfing the web, refreshing your social media feed and downloading large files. Fiber internet is the only connection that offers equally fast upload and download speeds. Learn more about the difference between these speeds.
Internet Speed Test
How fast is your internet connection?
Check your network performance with
our internet speed test.
Understanding your speed test results
Congrats on taking our internet speed test! If you have trouble making sense of those numbers, we’re here to explain what each key metric means. Explore each term below to learn how to interpret your results, plus read our guide for tips to optimize your internet connection for better performance.
Mbps vs. Gbps
Mbps and Gbps are units used to measure your internet speed. Mbps (megabits per second) indicates how many million bits can be transmitted per second, while Gbps (gigabit per second or “Gig”) represents one billion bits per second. One Gbps is equal to 1,000 Mbps.
Download Speeds
Speed | How fast | Best for |
---|---|---|
0-50 Mbps | Slow | Email, web browsing, scrolling social media |
50-200 Mbps | Moderate | 5+ connected devices, light streaming, web browsing, email, scrolling social media |
200-500 Mbps | Fast | 10+ connected devices, HD streaming, casual gaming, video calling |
500 Mbps-1 Gig | Very fast | 15+ connected devices, HD and 4K streaming, remote working and learning, multiplayer gaming, cloud backup |
2 Gig | Extremely fast | 20+ connected devices, HD and 4K streaming, serious gaming, cloud backup, home-based businesses |
5 Gig | Futuristically fast | Unlimited connected devices, virtual reality experiences, huge data transfers, content developing, smart home automation |
8 Gig | Fastest | Unlimited connected devices, hosting servers, competitive gaming and live streaming, full smart home integration, home-based businesses |
0-50 Mbps | Slow
Email, web browsing, scrolling social media
50-200 Mbps | Moderate
5+ connected devices, light streaming, web browsing, email, scrolling social media
200-500 Mbps | Fast
10+ connected devices, HD streaming, casual gaming, video calling
500 Mbps-1 Gig | Very fast
15+ connected devices, HD and 4K streaming, remote working and learning, multiplayer gaming, cloud backup
2 Gig | Extremely fast
20+ connected devices, HD and 4K streaming, serious gaming, cloud backup, home-based businesses
5 Gig | Futuristically fast
Unlimited connected devices, virtual reality experiences, huge data transfers, content developing, smart home automation
8 Gig | Fastest
Unlimited connected devices, hosting servers, competitive gaming and live streaming, full smart home integration, home-based businesses
Upload Speeds
Upload speeds are how fast your device sends data to the internet while video chatting, live streaming, sending large files and more. Each type of internet connection offers different upload speeds, but fiber internet is the only connection that offers equally fast upload and download speeds. Discover how upload speeds differ from download speeds.
Speed | How fast | Best for |
---|---|---|
1-2 Mbps | Slow | Sending emails with attachments, sharing photos or videos to social media |
9-10 Mbps | Moderate | Sending secure data to financial institutions |
18-20 Mbps | Fast | Uploading large files to the cloud, collaborating on live documents like Google Docs |
50-200 Mbps | Very fast | Video calling and conferencing, hosting live streams |
500 Mbps-1+ Gig | Extremely fast | Live tournament-style gaming, posting webinars, training videos and workshops |
1-2 Mbps | Slow
Sending emails with attachments, sharing photos or videos to social media
9-10 Mbps | Moderate
Sending secure data to financial institutions
18-20 Mbps | Fast
Uploading large files to the cloud, collaborating on live documents like Google Docs
50-200 Mbps | Very fast
Video calling and conferencing, hosting live streams
500 Mbps-1+ Gig | Extremely fast
Live tournament-style gaming, posting webinars, training videos and workshops
Ping
Ping, or latency, is measured in milliseconds (ms) and counts how long it takes for a computer to send and receive data from a server. It’s a key indicator of how responsive a connection is, especially for activities that require precise timing, like online gaming. Learn how ping affects your gaming experience.
Speed | How fast | Best for |
---|---|---|
150+ ms | Extremely slow | Minimal internet activity |
100-150 ms | Slow | Smooth video calling and streaming, with noticeable lag in video games requiring quick response times |
50-100 ms | Average | Most online experiences like casual gaming, with some delays during competitive gaming |
20-50 ms | Fast | Minimal lag for most online activities like gaming, video calling, streaming and general web browsing |
Under 20 ms | Extremely fast | Competitive and fast-paced games, glitch-free live-streaming |
150+ ms | Extremely slow
Minimal internet activity
100-150 ms | Slow
Smooth video calling and streaming, with noticeable lag in video games requiring quick response times
50-100 ms | Average
Most online experiences like casual gaming, with some delays during competitive gaming
20-50 ms | Fast
Minimal lag for most online activities like gaming, video calling, streaming and general web browsing
Under 20 ms | Extremely fast
Competitive and fast-paced games, glitch-free live-streaming
Jitter
Network jitter describes the delay between data packets being transmitted over a network, often caused by network congestion. It can cause delays and degrade the quality of real-time applications like voice over internet protocol (VoIP), video conferencing and online gaming. High jitter leads to buffering, lag, choppy audio or video and a generally poor internet experience.
Speed | How fast | Best for |
---|---|---|
150+ ms | Poor | Choppy internet experiences |
100-150 ms | Bad | General online activities like web browsing |
50-100 ms | Average | SD video streaming |
20-50 ms | Good | Video conferencing |
Under 20 ms | Great | VoIP, online gaming |
150+ ms | Poor
Choppy internet experiences
100-150 ms | Bad
General online activities like web browsing
50-100 ms | Average
SD video streaming
20-50 ms | Good
Video conferencing
Under 20 ms | Great
VoIP, online gaming
Find out if Lumos Fiber Internet is available for your home.
Ready to go Lumos fast?
Plan Finder Tool
How many people in your household are using the internet?
What are they using it for?
Select all that apply:
These require a typical amount of speed on a fiber network. We’ll call them “average-use.”
These require more from your internet. We’ll call them “high-demand.”
Recommended Plan:
Speeds up to
500 Mbps
upload & download speed2
Best for families with average internet usage or individuals with a high-demand internet lifestyle.
- Download a 2hr movie in just 1.3 minutes
- FREE Installation3
2Available in select locations.
Exclusive offer ends soon!
- FREE Installation3
View pricing and offers in your area
Limited time offer!
Speeds up to
1 Gig
upload & download speed2
Best for large families or multiple users with high-demand internet lifestyles.
- Download a 2hr movie in just 37.9 seconds
- FREE Installation3
2Available in select locations.
Act Now!
See how you can get a $300 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
Limited time offer!
Speeds up to
2 Gig
upload & download speed2
Best for very large families with multiple users who have high-demand internet lifestyles.
- Download a 2hr movie in just 18.9 seconds
- FREE Installation3
2Available in select locations.
Act Now!
See how you can get a $400 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
Limited time offer!
Speeds up to
5 Gig
upload & download speed2
Best for exceptionally high-demand circumstances.
- Download a 2hr movie in just 7.6 seconds
2Available in select locations.
Act Now!
See how you can get a $400 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
Limited time offer!
Speeds up to
8 Gig
upload & download speed2
Best for exceptionally high-demand circumstances.
- Download a 2hr movie in just 7.6 seconds
2Available in select locations.
Act Now!
See how you can get a $400 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
Best for families with average internet usage or individuals with a high-demand internet lifestyle.
‡Available in select locations.
‡Available in select locations.Exclusive offer ends soon!
- FREE Installation3
View pricing and offers in your area
Best for large families or multiple users with high-demand internet lifestyles.
‡Available in select locations.
‡Available in select locations.Act Now!
See how you can get a $300 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
Best for very large families with multiple users who have high-demand internet lifestyles.
‡Available in select locations.
‡Available in select locations.Act Now!
See how you can get a $400 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
Best for exceptionally high-demand circumstances.
‡Available in select locations.
‡Available in select locations.Act Now!
See how you can get a $400 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
Best for exceptionally high-demand circumstances.
‡Available in select locations.
‡Available in select locations.Act Now!
See how you can get a $400 Lumos Prepaid Mastercard® when you switch.1
View pricing and offers in your area
You test your speed. We’ll answer your questions.
While Wi-Fi speed tests are generally accurate, various factors can influence the results. Server distance, device location, testing time, VPN usage, online activity, connected devices and internet equipment can all impact the outcome. You should conduct multiple tests at different times using reliable speed test tools to get a more precise understanding of your internet speed. This will provide a range of Wi-Fi speeds, giving you a better idea of your internet’s potential.
It is common for advertised cable internet speeds to differ from what customers actually experience. Your internet service provider (ISP) may be throttling your speeds to manage network congestion or prioritize certain types of traffic. Alternatively, the asymmetrical nature of cable internet connections (download speeds are typically faster than upload speeds) may lead to slower overall internet experiences for tasks that involve significant uploading, such as video conferencing or cloud backup. Additionally, factors such as network congestion, distance from your ISP’s infrastructure and the quality of your equipment can also contribute to the gap between advertised and actual speeds.
The more people and connected devices in your home, the more bandwidth you need to enjoy faster internet. If you’re in a data-hungry household, consider investing in a plan that meets your bandwidth needs and delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds for lightning-fast internet in every direction. Lumos offers a range of speed packages from 500 Mbps to multi-gig fiber internet, which can support any digital life without interruption.
Cable internet providers have traditionally prioritized download speeds since more people download data than upload it. But without symmetrical speeds, you may experience buffering, lagging and glitching during video calls, gaming and file transfers. With Lumos Fiber Internet, upload and download speeds are equally fast, ensuring you never slow down, no matter what you do online.
Gbps (Gigabits per second) offers significantly higher data transfer speeds, ideal for activities like streaming HD video, online gaming and large file sharing. Mbps (Megabits per second) is more suitable for everyday internet use such as web browsing, email and SD video streaming. When choosing an internet plan, consider your specific needs and online activities to determine the appropriate speed for your digital life.
Combat slow internet speeds with these quick tips: 1) move closer to your router or reboot it, 2) remove other devices from your network, 3) update or upgrade your device or 4) upgrade your current internet plan. If nothing improves, it may be time to switch to always-fast fiber internet from Lumos. See if Lumos is available for your home.
Internet slow-downs may be the result of a bandwidth overload, a poorly placed Wi-Fi router and even speed throttling. Switch to Lumos Fiber Internet today to enjoy whole-home Wi-Fi coverage, lightning-fast upload and download speeds, consistently fast connections on multiple devices and unlimited data.
We’re redefining high speed internet.
We get it: fiber internet can sound complicated. But it’s easier than ever to get ultra-fast connections, symmetrical speeds and the bandwidth you need for all your devices with Lumos. To help you pick the fiber internet package that fits your digital life, we’re demystifying common internet terms.
Fiber Optic Internet
Fiber optic internet is a broadband connection that sends information via light signals across thin glass strands. And since light travels faster than cable internet’s electrical signals, you’ll get faster uploads, downloads and connections, with Lumos 100% Fiber Optic Internet.2
Upload speeds
Upload speeds, or how fast your computer sends data to the internet, are what maintain a clear and uninterrupted streaming experience during your remote audio or video calls. This is crucial for lag-free meetings when working from home. Lumos’s upload and download speeds are equally fast.
Download speeds
Download speeds, or how fast your computer receives information from the internet, allow you to stream videos, load web pages, refresh your social media feed and play games online without buffering. Lumos guarantees equally fast download and upload speeds.
Mbps
Mbps stands for “megabits per second” and indicates how many million bits can be transmitted each second. It’s the standard way to measure internet speed. For the average internet user, an upload speed of 20 Mbps and download speed of 200 Mbps are considered fast.
Gbps
Gigabits per second (Gbps) stands for billions of bits per second. One Gbps is equal to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are 10 times faster than the average broadband download speed of 100 Mbps, allowing you to download a full HD movie in just a few minutes.
Multi-gig
Multi-gigabit (multi-gig) internet is a network connection that runs at speeds of more than 1 Gbps. It can power large households with multiple devices connected simultaneously and creators or gamers who need the high bandwidth for large file transfers. Our 2 and 5 Gig plans are built for the heaviest of internet users.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data that your internet or network can handle at a time. Lumos offers enough bandwidth to power all the devices in your connected home all at once, without slowing down.
Latency/Ping
Latency is how quickly a signal (ping) is sent from and returned back to your computer. The lower the ping, the less lag. Lumos delivers low ping for smooth, responsive gameplay.
Mesh Wi-Fi
While traditional Wi-Fi uses one router to send internet throughout your home, Mesh Wi-Fi allows for multiple internet access points for a more stable connection—no matter how far from your router you may be.
Speed throttling
Sometimes, your internet service provider may regulate network traffic by limiting your bandwidth usage. They do this by deliberately slowing down your internet speed—and often without telling you. At Lumos, we’ll never throttle your speeds or cap your data.