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Check Your Broadband Speed
Not sure if you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for? Use our free broadband speed checker to test your connection right now — then read our plain English guide to understand what your results actually mean.
Run Your Free Speed Test
Click the button below to start your speed test. It takes around 60 seconds and tests your download speed, upload speed, and ping. No account needed — just hit Go.
Recommended Speed Test — Fast.com (by Netflix)
Click the button below to run your speed test. It opens in a new tab and starts automatically — no sign-up, no downloads, completely free. Come back here once you have your results to understand what they mean.
⚡ Run My Speed TestFast.com is provided by Netflix and runs entirely in your browser. A2B Network does not collect or store any data from your results. For the most accurate reading, run the test while connected to your router via ethernet, or sit as close to your router as possible if using Wi-Fi.
What Do Your Results Mean?
Your speed test gives you three numbers. Here’s what each one actually tells you about your connection.
Download Speed
This is the most important number for most households. It measures how fast data comes to your device — affecting video streaming, web browsing, video calls, and online gaming.
A higher number is better. It’s measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
Upload Speed
This measures how fast data goes from your device to the internet. It affects video calls, sending large files, cloud backups, and live streaming.
Upload speed is often much lower than download speed — that’s normal on most broadband connections.
Ping (Latency)
Ping measures the response time between your device and the internet, shown in ms (milliseconds). A lower number is better.
Ping matters most for online gaming and video calls. A ping under 30ms is excellent — over 100ms and you may notice lag.
Good to Know
Speed test results can vary depending on the time of day, how many devices are connected, and whether you're on Wi-Fi or ethernet. For the most accurate result:
- Run the test more than once and take an average
- Test at different times — evening speeds are often lower due to network congestion
- Connect via ethernet cable for a true line speed reading
- Disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi before testing if possible
- Compare your result to the speed quoted on your broadband contract
Is Your Speed Fast Enough?
Use this guide to see how your download speed compares — and what it means for the way you use the internet at home.
| Download Speed | Rating | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 Mbps | Poor | Basic web browsing only. Streaming, video calls and multiple devices will struggle. |
| 10 – 30 Mbps | Acceptable | SD video streaming, light browsing, basic video calls. Will feel slow with multiple users. |
| 30 – 100 Mbps | Good | HD streaming, video calls, working from home, and several devices simultaneously. |
| 100 – 500 Mbps | Very Good | 4K streaming, online gaming, large file transfers, busy households with many devices. |
| 500 Mbps – 1 Gbps+ | Excellent | Full fibre performance. Future-proof for smart homes, multiple 4K streams, and heavy business use. |
Ping Under 20ms
Excellent — ideal for gaming and video calls
Ping 20 – 60ms
Good — suitable for most everyday use
Ping 60 – 100ms
Acceptable — you may notice slight delays on calls
Ping Over 100ms
Poor — noticeable lag on gaming and video calls
Speed ratings are based on Ofcom’s UK Home Broadband Performance guidelines and general industry benchmarks. Real-world speeds may vary depending on your provider, time of day, and connection type.
Getting a Low Speed Result?
Don’t panic — there are several common reasons why your speed might be lower than expected, and many of them are easy to fix yourself before you even consider calling your provider. Work through these checks in order.
Restart Your Router
Turn your router off at the wall, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on. Wait 2 minutes for it to fully reconnect before re-running your speed test. This alone fixes slow speeds in a surprising number of cases.
Test via Ethernet, Not Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi always introduces some speed loss. If possible, plug your device directly into the router using an ethernet cable and re-run the test. If your ethernet speed is significantly higher, the issue is with your Wi-Fi setup rather than your broadband line itself.
Check How Many Devices Are Connected
Every device sharing your connection uses a portion of your bandwidth. Smart TVs, games consoles, phones, tablets, and smart home devices all count — even when you're not actively using them. Disconnect unused devices and re-test.
Check the Time of Day
Broadband speeds often drop during peak hours — typically between 7pm and 10pm — when more people in your area are online simultaneously. Run your test at different times of day to see if this is a pattern. If speeds are consistently low at all times, the issue is more likely with your line or setup.
Check Your Router Position
Routers perform best when placed in a central, elevated, open position. Keep them away from thick walls, metal objects, microwaves, and cordless phone bases. Moving your router even a few metres can make a noticeable difference to Wi-Fi speeds throughout your home.
Compare Against Your Contract Speed
Check your broadband contract or provider's app to confirm what speed you're supposed to be getting. Under Ofcom rules, UK providers must offer you a minimum guaranteed speed. If you're consistently below this — after trying the steps above — you have the right to contact your provider and request they investigate or let you exit your contract penalty-free.
Consider Whether Your Broadband Type Is the Limiting Factor
If you're still on an older ADSL or FTTC (part-fibre) connection, your maximum possible speed may simply be limited by the technology itself. Full fibre (FTTP) connections are now available to the majority of UK homes and deliver significantly faster, more reliable speeds. It may be time to consider upgrading.
Still Not Getting the Speeds You’re Paying For?
If you’ve worked through all the steps above and your speeds are still consistently below what your provider promised, our Broadband Knowledge Hub has detailed guides on diagnosing line faults, understanding your broadband type, and knowing your rights as a UK consumer.
Want to Know More About Your Broadband?
Our Broadband Guide in the Knowledge Hub covers everything from understanding connection types and checking what’s available in your area, to upgrading to full fibre and getting the most from your existing setup — all in plain English, completely free.
What Type of Broadband Do I Have?
ADSL, FTTC, FTTP — find out what connection type is coming into your home and what it means for your speeds.
Find Out →
Why Is My Broadband Slow?
A deep dive into the most common causes of slow broadband in UK homes and exactly what to do about each one.
Read the Guide →
Should I Upgrade to Full Fibre?
Full fibre (FTTP) is now available to most UK homes. We help you decide whether upgrading is worth it for your household.
Help Me Decide →
Looking for Help With Something Else?
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Dead zones, weak signal, and whole-home coverage solutions.
VoIP & Landlines
Everything you need to know about the UK landline switch-off.
Mobile Signal
Improve indoor signal and get the most from 4G and 5G.
Smart Home
Connect and control your smart devices with confidence.
Not sure what a term means?
Visit our Home Network Glossary for plain English explanations of every connectivity term used across the Knowledge Hub.
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