Broadband speed test

Use our internet speed test to see how your connection compares with your neighbours
Find out how much it could cost, if anything, to switch to a faster internet provider

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How does our internet speed test work?

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

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

How does the WiFi speed test check my internet speed?

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).

Why should I test my internet speed?

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.

What is my internet speed? And is it fast enough?

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.

How can I improve my broadband speed?

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.

What should I do if I’m not getting the broadband speed I was promised?

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.

What our expert says...

“Our broadband speed test is a quick and easy way to see if you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for. We recommend running the test a few times a day to get a helpful snapshot of your average internet speed. You can then use the results to compare your broadband speed with other providers in your area. If you can access faster broadband where you live, you might want to start looking for a better deal.”

- Matthew Brewer, Broadband and mobile expert

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^As of January 2023 Compare the Market had an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 23,670 people who left a review on Trustpilot. The score 4.8 corresponds to the Star Label ‘Excellent’.  

Frequently asked questions

Are internet speed tests accurate?

Internet speed tests can provide a fairly accurate snapshot of your internet connection at the time you test it. But for a more complete picture, you’ll need to test your broadband speed at different times of day.

Your broadband speed check results can vary at different times of the day. It depends on how many people in your home and the wider neighbourhood are using the same internet network. That’s why it helpful to check your internet speed during peak hours (8pm to 10pm), then again at quieter times.

If you’re testing a WiFi connection, it’s also important to note that the download speed can vary, depending on how close you are to your router.

How can I get the most accurate WiFi speed test results?

To ensure you get the most accurate internet speed results when testing your broadband speed:

Make sure no one else is using your WiFi network when you run the internet test and stop any downloads
If possible, turn off all other devices using the WiFi network
Ensure all cables to your router are connected properly
Make sure your router is in an elevated position (such as on a table or shelf) in clear view of your device and keep it away from other electronic devices
Use a wired connection, such as an ethernet cable.

Your WiFi speed probably won’t be as strong as a wired connection, but your broadband provider only needs to hit the advertised minimum speed. Otherwise, you have grounds to complain.

What broadband bandwidth will I need?

The amount of bandwidth you need depends on how you and your household use the internet.

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, bandwidth and internet speed are not the same thing.

Bandwidth refers to the volume of data that can be transmitted in a certain amount of time. The higher your bandwidth, the faster and more reliable your internet connection will be.

If you’re working from home, you’ll need plenty of bandwidth for video conferencing and file sharing, especially if there’s more than one of you in the home office. If you and your household like to stream TV and movies or listen to music through Spotify, you’ll want to make sure you have enough bandwidth for everyone.

What do the results of my internet speed test mean?

Your internet speed test results will show you how fast you can download or upload data through your connection, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Once you know the speed of your connection, you can work out if it’s enough for your needs or if you should search for a faster broadband package.

To give you an idea, here’s a breakdown of the broadband speeds you’ll need for popular online activities using the minimum bandwidth speeds (Mbps):

BBC iPlayer: 1.5Mbps SD; 5 Mbps HD
Netflix: 3 Mbps SD; 5 Mbps HD; 15 Mbps Ultra HD/4K
Xbox One: 3 Mbps
Spotify: 0.096 Mbps mobile for normal audio quality; 0.256 Mbps premium service on desktop

What factors affect my internet speed?

Plenty of factors can impact your broadband speed including:

The type of connection – for example ADSL, fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), fibre to the premises (FTTP) and cable broadband. The speeds of each vary massively, with FTTP – or full fibre – and cable offering the fastest speeds.
How many people are online – If several people in your household are online at the same time, the bandwidth is being split between all of you.
How you use the internet – activities like streaming HD content and online gaming use a lot of bandwidth.
Your WiFi hub –for a faster WiFi signal, you’ll need a clear view of your home hub.
Wired vs wireless – wired connections are more reliable because you’re plugged straight into the source.

What connection types do I need to run an internet speed test?

Our broadband speed test can measure the speed for all types of broadband connections including:

How does distance from the exchange affect broadband speed?

If you’re using an ADSL or FTTC connection, the distance between your home and the exchange cabinet in the street can make a big difference to your broadband speed.

That’s because these types of connections use the copper telephone wires, which don’t work as well as fibre-optic cables over long distances. The further from the cabinet you are, the greater the drop-off in speed.

A fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connection is faster, because the fibre cables connect straight to your home. But FTTP connections tend to be more expensive and may not yet be available for your home.

Why is my internet connection so slow?

If you’ve checked your cables and router but your internet is still running slow, here are some other reasons to consider:

Too many devices – the more devices connected, the slower your internet will be
Peak-time traffic – if a lot of people are online at the same time, the local connection can get congested
Malware or viruses – these can slow down your connection and put you at risk. That’s why it’s so important to have up-to-date anti-virus software in place
Your broadband package is too slow – if your connection can’t keep up with the demands of your household, it may be time to upgrade to a faster fibre package.

Where should I check my broadband speed?

There are several internet speed tests online that you can use. The benefit of using the Compare the Market internet speed test is that once you know your results, you can compare your speed to what’s available in your neighbourhood and compare deals, all in one place.

What does it mean if I get different results from other broadband speed tests?

It could be that the conditions have changed slightly between tests, or the software or technology used by each speed tester is different. There are quite a few network speed tests out there, so if you’re trying different ones, your results might vary.

It’s a good idea to check your broadband speed on different sites as it could give you a better overall picture.

Just make sure you run each speed test under the same conditions – for example: time of day, position of your router, other devices turned off – to get more accurate results.

What is the Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speed?

Ofcom’s Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speed is designed to hold broadband providers accountable and make sure you get the broadband speeds you were promised when you signed up.

If you’re signing up to a broadband provider who’s opted into the voluntary code of practice (most of the big ones have), they must give you an estimated connection speed for usage during peak times. This is when your connection is most likely to slow down as there are more users on the network.

Your broadband provider must also give you a minimum guaranteed speed. If you’re not getting this speed and make a complaint, your provider has 30 days to fix the issue. If they can’t, you can leave your contract free of charge and find another provider.

How can I complain about my broadband speeds?

First, contact your internet service provider (ISP) and explain that you’ve tested your broadband speeds and they’re not as fast as they should be. Be clear on what’s in your contract. Broadband providers advertise speeds of ‘up to’ a certain amount, but they don’t promise you’ll get these speeds all the time. However, broadband providers must now offer a minimum guaranteed speed. Find out what this speed is and hold them to it.

Your broadband provider is required by Ofcom to give you advice on how to increase your speed. If they can’t solve the problem and guarantee their advertised speed within 30 days, you can cancel your contract free of charge. This means you’ll be able to join a new broadband provider and hopefully get a better speed.