How to check your internet speed

Before paying for faster internet, check the connection your computer is getting. FAST.com is a free speed test from Netflix. It works in a web browser on Windows or Mac, with no account or installation.

Pause large downloads, cloud backups and video streams first. Ask others sharing your connection to pause theirs too. The test downloads and uploads data, so avoid repeated tests on a limited mobile-data plan.

1. Open FAST.com

Open your browser, such as Chrome, Edge or Safari. Click the address bar at the top, type fast.com (opens in a new tab) and press Enter. The test starts automatically.

Wait while the number is grey and changing. Leave the page open until it finishes.

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FAST.com starting a speed test with a grey number and pause icon

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2. Read the download result

When the number turns black, the download test has finished. Download speed measures how quickly data reaches your computer, including web pages, videos and files.

The screenshot shows 93 Mbps. Mbps means megabits per second. A larger number means more data can arrive each second. Your result will differ.

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Completed FAST.com download result of 93 Mbps with Show more info below

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3. Check upload speed and delay

Click Show more info below the large number. Wait for the extra measurements to finish.

• Upload speed: how quickly your computer sends data, such as photos or your video during a call. Higher is faster.
• Unloaded latency: the delay when the connection is quiet.
• Loaded latency: the delay while the connection is busy. A large increase can help explain lag during calls or games.

Latency is measured in milliseconds, shown as ms. Lower means less delay. It measures the round trip to the test server, so it cannot predict every app’s response time.

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FAST.com showing 93 Mbps download, 83 Mbps upload, 5 ms unloaded latency and 14 ms loaded latency

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This example shows 83 Mbps upload and delays of 5 ms and 14 ms. These are example results, not targets for your connection.

4. Repeat and write down the results

Click the circular arrow beside the download number to run another test. Use the same computer and connection. Record the time, download speed, upload speed, latency and whether you used Wi-Fi or a cable.

Repeat at a different time, especially when you usually notice problems. One result is a snapshot, not proof of a faulty connection.

Copyable speed-test log

Select Copy, paste this blank entry into a note or text file, and fill it in after Show more info finishes. Keep a separate entry for each test.

Use the same test tool and device when comparing Wi-Fi with Ethernet. If a value was not measured, write "not measured" instead of 0. Record other traffic or an active VPN so you can tell when the test conditions changed.

5. Compare before changing your plan

If the result looks slow, move your computer closer to the router and repeat. If both have Ethernet sockets, connect the computer to a router LAN port with an Ethernet cable and test again. A better wired result suggests Wi-Fi is contributing to the problem.

For context, Netflix recommends a stable 15 Mbps connection for one 4K stream. Other devices and activities share the connection too.

If several tests remain much slower than your plan’s advertised speed, send your provider the results and connection details. In Australia, compare NBN results with the plan’s typical evening speed, not just its headline maximum.

Sources

Connection troubleshooting follows Ofcom guidance.

• FAST.com and its measurement FAQ (opens in a new tab)
• Netflix: upload speed and latency explained (opens in a new tab)
• Netflix’s recommended internet speeds (opens in a new tab)
• Ofcom: broadband and Wi-Fi troubleshooting (opens in a new tab)
• ACCC: broadband speeds (opens in a new tab)