Broadband speed test

Compare the Market’s broadband speed test is a free, quick and easy way to test your WiFi speed and compare your current broadband speed with other providers in your neighbourhood.

Here’s how it works

1. Before you run our speed check, make sure you’re connected to the WiFi network you want to test.

2. Enter your postcode and select whether you’re testing a home or work connection. Then find your current provider from the drop-down list and hit the ‘test my internet speed’ button.

3. We’ll show you your current internet speed – including download and upload speeds – and compare it to the average speeds in your neighbourhood.

Making sense of your speed test results

To help you understand your WiFi speed test results, see how fast you can download music and stream TV compared with the fastest available speeds in your area.

We’ll also show you some of the fastest broadband deals available in your area, so you can see how the prices and speeds stack up against your current deal.

If your broadband speed is slower than you expected or you can see that faster speeds are available, we can help you to switch to a faster provider. Or, if you’re still in contract, we can set up a reminder for when it’s time to make the switch.

To test your internet speed our tool sends a signal to a test server, which goes back to your device. Our internet speed check then measures the time it takes your device to respond. The server also sends your device packets of test data and measures how quickly this is transferred.

Measuring upload speed is basically the same thing in reverse, with data being sent back to the test server. This is done several times to test your connection’s capacity and to make sure you get the most accurate reading. You’ll notice that your upload and download speeds are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps).

It’s a good idea to check your internet speed regularly to make sure you’re getting the internet speeds you’ve been promised from your current provider.

If you run an internet speed test regularly, you’ll also be able to see how your speeds and internet usage change over time, to make sure you’re on a deal that works for you and your family.

And because broadband speed is getting faster year on year, it’s also helpful to see if you’re still getting the fastest internet speeds for your money.

Our broadband speed test is:

Accurate

Use our broadband speed test to check the actual speeds you’re getting and to see if faster options are available in your area.

Quick

Our free broadband speed test runs straight from your browser, giving you results in a matter of seconds.

For all types of broadband

Our internet speed test can be used to check all types of broadband connections, including ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), fibre optic, cable and mobile.

Your internet speed is how long it takes for data to be transferred from the web to your device, or vice versa.

Normally, when you see a broadband provider advertising internet speeds, they’re talking about download speeds, because that’s what we do most online. Every time we stream music, play games, watch YouTube or scroll through social media posts, we’re downloading data. Although we also need to upload data – to send emails, make video calls and use online banking, for example – the quantities of data we upload tend to be much smaller.

Your internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Megabits (Mb) are not to be confused with megabytes (MB), which are commonly used to measure the size of internet data. One MB is equal to eight Mbs. That means you’d need an internet speed of 8Mbps to download a 1MB file in one second.

You may see broadband providers advertising gigabit-capable internet speeds. That’s equivalent to 1000 Mbps. With gig speeds you could download a 1GB file in eight seconds – but do you really need that? The internet speed you need depends on how much you use the internet and what you use it for. If you’re a large household and you all plan on simultaneously streaming movies, playing online games and making video calls, then you’ll need faster download speeds.

Find out what broadband speeds you need for streaming.

If your broadband isn’t quick enough, here are some ways to get a faster connection:

Change your broadband connection type

If you’re on an ADSL or fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) connection, upgrading your broadband could really jump-start your speeds. To give you an idea, according to an Ofcom Report, in 2021 ADSL connections offered average speeds of 11.7 Mbps. Meanwhile, FTTC connections were more than four times faster, at 55.7 Mbps.

For even faster speeds, a fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) – or full-fibre broadband – connection offered an average speed of 149.2 Mbps, the second fastest of them all, after cable broadband. Run our internet speed test to see if faster full-fibre packages are available for your postcode.

Move your WiFi hub

WiFi signals can’t travel through large objects. Moving your hub into an open, central space, where the connection isn’t blocked by walls, furniture or anything else, could help your speeds improve.

Keep your router away from electronic devices

Halogen lights, microwaves, TV and baby monitors, dimmer switches and even fairy lights could interfere with your router’s performance. Keep your router away from both wired and wireless electronic devices to ensure you’re always receiving the best signal.

Use a wired connection

If your wireless broadband still isn’t cutting it, try a wired connection. It might be a hassle to tether your device to something, but it can help in a pinch.

An ethernet cable will plug your device into your connection’s source. This will give you a more stable and usually faster speed.

Check for updates

Check to make sure you’re using the latest version of your browser. Newer browser versions can run faster, and maybe safer too. If you’re using the latest version, you could try clearing out your browser’s cache to help it run more efficiently.

Similarly, updating your router could lead to faster speeds. Older hardware could be less secure too, as it may not be supported by the latest cybersecurity updates.

Make sure your WiFi is secure

If your neighbours are stealing your WiFi, this could decrease your broadband speeds. It also puts your online security at risk.

Choose a secure password for your router to keep your connection secure and make sure other people can’t piggyback on your broadband connection.

Not getting the broadband speed you want can be a good reason to switch providers. But what if you’re still under contract?

Your provider should have given you a minimum guaranteed speed for your broadband connection when you signed up to a deal. If your internet speeds fall short of what was promised, you have the right to complain.

First, get in touch with your broadband provider and ask them to investigate. If your broadband provider has opted into Ofcom’s Voluntary Codes of Practice on Broadband Speed, you can walk away from your contract, penalty-free if:

• The problem is on their network

• They can’t fix the issue within 30 days.

Even if you’re with a provider who hasn’t opted into the code of practice, you can still make a formal complaint.

If your provider fails to resolve the issue within eight weeks, or they send you a letter of deadlock, you can contact the Communications Ombudsman. They’ll look at your case and, if they agree that you’ve been treated unfairly, they can compel the provider to put things right.