How this test works
PingDownloadUploadRate
The browser measures responsiveness and both transfer directions, then turns the results into a practical connection rating.
Broadband speed explained
What Does a Broadband Speed Test Measure?
A broadband speed test, sometimes called a bandwidth test, checks how quickly data downloads and uploads, then measures ping and jitter to show how responsive and stable the connection feels for browsing, streaming, gaming and video calls.
Pre-flight diagnostics
Test the weak link before changing provider or hardware
Use the speed test below as the baseline, then open the focused check that matches the symptom. Comparing Wi-Fi and Ethernet on the same device quickly separates local wireless issues from line or router queueing.
Speed test = baseline · focused tools = root causeNetwork control dashboard
Video calls freezing or games lagging?
Run a quick speed test to measure download, upload, ping and jitter, identify whether the issue is your Wi‑Fi, router or provider.
Live speed test
Run the broadband speed test
Ready
Upload speed—Mbps
Ready when you are
Location and provider detected when the test starts.
Test status
Ready
Provider Detected when test starts
Location Detected when test starts
Public IP Detected when test starts
VPN/proxy Checked when test starts
Connection summary
See download, upload, ping, jitter and the live graph in one place.
Ping
Download
Upload
Download
—
Mbps
Upload
—
Mbps
Ping
—
ms
Jitter
—
ms
Slow result? Check your upgrade options
Check faster full fibre at your address
If repeated Ethernet tests are slow, enter your postcode to check Openreach FTTP, Virgin Media, CityFibre and local alt-net availability.
Connection type
Run test to classify
See whether your result looks basic, superfast, ultrafast or gigabit.
Consistency
Run test for stability
Tracks the gap between sustained average and peak download throughput. Large gaps mean the speed varied; repeat over Ethernet to separate Wi-Fi effects from the broadband line.
Note: Results are estimates. Location and ISP may be approximate, and Wi‑Fi, VPNs or congestion can affect speeds.
Privacy: The recent results feed is anonymous. It does not store IP addresses; it only shows speed, quality, broad provider/location and device-type context.
Recent broadband tests
Live test feedTrophies mark the three fastest download results currently shown; the snail marks the slowest.
Waiting for recent test data…
Recent anonymised results will appear here.
Internet and DSL speed testing
Free internet speed test for fibre, cable and DSL broadband
LinkSpeed works as an internet speed test across full fibre, cable, ADSL, VDSL/FTTC, 4G and 5G connections. It measures download speed and upload throughput plus provides a ping test and jitter test, so you can see both speed and responsiveness. To a limited degree, this also provides a wifi speed test, as there maybe issues with the hardware or settings impacting the primary internet speedtest.
Using it as a DSL speed test
For ADSL or VDSL/FTTC, repeat the test over Ethernet and compare the result with your router's connection or sync speed. A much lower browser result can point to congestion, Wi-Fi or another device using the line.
Speed looks fine but the connection still lags?
A normal result can miss queueing delay. Run the loaded latency test or bufferbloat test to see whether ping rises when the connection is busy.
See the evidence behind LinkSpeed
Review the UK broadband quality report and the published testing methodology, including sample thresholds and limitations.
Hardware route
If testing points to the router, not the broadband line
Do not replace working hardware from one poor Wi-Fi result. Retest over Ethernet first. If wired loaded latency is also poor, look for effective SQM or QoS. If Ethernet is good but Wi-Fi is weak or inconsistent, coverage and mesh placement matter more.
Compare UK Routers & Mesh Kits
SQM / QoS route
Standalone router
For poor wired loaded latency or an ISP hub with weak queue management.
Value route
Replace the ISP hub
For users who need better controls without moving to a full mesh system.
Coverage route
Whole-home mesh
For good Ethernet results but weak, inconsistent or congested Wi-Fi.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, LinkSpeed earns from qualifying purchases.
Broadband Switching & Rights
Repeated poor results? Check contracts, switching and compensation. A new provider will not fix weak Wi‑Fi if Ethernet is fine.
View all rights guidesReliable providers
Compare providers by reliability, speed consistency and outages.
Reliability GuideChoose the problem you recognise
What are you trying to fix?
Start with the symptom closest to yours. These are the troubleshooting topics currently showing the strongest Google search opportunity.
View all troubleshooting
Streaming
BBC iPlayer buffering
Fix buffering, quality drops and playback problems even when your speed looks fine.
Fix iPlayer buffering
Streaming
YouTube keeps buffering
Check Wi-Fi, congestion, DNS, device and connection issues behind repeated buffering.
Fix YouTube buffering
Connectivity
Wi-Fi connected, no internet
Work through router, DNS, device and line checks when Wi-Fi connects but nothing loads.
Restore internet access
Mobile
5G broadband is laggy
Separate signal variation, loaded latency and mobile-network congestion from raw speed.
Diagnose 5G lag
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is slow in one room
Improve weak-room performance with better placement, channel choice or mesh coverage.
Fix one-room Wi-Fi
Gaming
PS5 is lagging
Check ping, packet loss, Wi-Fi, NAT and background traffic affecting online games.
Fix PS5 lag
Latency
Random lag spikes
Find intermittent latency caused by Wi-Fi interference, queueing, downloads or congestion.
Diagnose lag spikes
Upload
Upload speed is too slow
Check Wi-Fi, saturation, background uploads and line issues that hurt calls and cloud use.
Fix slow uploadsBroadband choices and tools
Costs, rights and local options
Check costs, compensation, switching rights and local broadband options.
Calculate My Outage CompensationCheck what you may be owed after a qualifying broadband outage.
Calculate My Broadband Price RiseSee what a higher monthly bill costs over the rest of your contract.
Delayed Broadband Activation?Check compensation rights when a new broadband service is activated late.
Availability and area guides
Latest broadband news
Short broadband updates on rollout, providers, Wi‑Fi, latency and speed test trends.
View all broadband newsWessex Internet connects 212 community hubs for £1
Wessex Internet's community initiative has now provided broadband connections to 212 local projects across southern England for a nominal £1 charge.
Project Gigabit reaches more than 340,000 premises through contracts
The October 2026 update shows 340,880 premises reached by Project Gigabit contracts, representing around 40% of the current contracted total.
Openreach to Stop Selling Copper Broadband in 112 More UK Exchange Areas
Openreach has named 112 further exchange areas covering 619,724 premises for its full-fibre-led copper stop-sell programme, giving broadband providers 12 months' notice.
Ofcom keeps pressure on telecoms firms over scam calls and numbers
Telecom providers remain under regulatory pressure to stop spoofed and misused UK phone numbers as Ofcom strengthens consumer-protection enforcement.
Home broadband security
Privacy, malware and safer connected devices
Use the right layer for the job: a VPN protects traffic between your device and the VPN server, while antivirus and internet-security suites protect the device itself from malware, ransomware, phishing and other threats.
VPN privacy route
Compare VPNs without confusing privacy with antivirus
See what a VPN changes, where it can affect speed or ping, and compare the services LinkSpeed uses in its broadband-focused VPN guide.
Explore VPN Options
Antivirus & malware route
Protect PCs and devices without sacrificing broadband responsiveness
LinkSpeed Labs compares setup, ransomware and phishing protection, everyday usability, gaming behaviour and the effect each suite has on normal broadband use.
Open the Antivirus Lab Guide
