--- title: "Speed Test" description: "Test your internet speed. Check your download speed, upload speed and latency, and learn what your results mean and how to improve them." url: "https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/speedtest" canonical: "https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/speedtest" --- # Speed Test Test your internet speed. Check your download speed, upload speed and latency, and learn what your results mean and how to improve them. ## Test your internet speed Run a quick speed test to check your connection's performance. It measures download speed, upload speed, and latency, helping you understand how well your internet supports activities like streaming and video calls. - [Start speed test](https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/speedtest#speed-test) ## Check your internet speed ## Understanding your results What the numbers mean and how they affect everyday internet use. - **Download speed** — Measures how quickly data is delivered to your device. Higher download speeds help with streaming, browsing, and downloading files. - **Upload speed** — Measures how fast your device can send data. Important for video calls, sending files, cloud backups, and online collaboration. - **Latency (Ping)** — Latency measures how quickly your connection responds. Lower latency improves video calls, gaming, and real‑time applications. ## Tips to improve your speed test accuracy ### Use a wired connection Connecting your computer directly to your router using an ethernet cable provides the most accurate measurement of your internet speed. Wi-Fi signals can be affected by distance, walls, and interference from other devices, which may lower the result you see in a test. A wired connection removes those variables and allows the test to measure the actual performance of your internet service. ### Pause other activity Streaming services, large downloads, cloud backups, video calls, and other devices connected to your network can all use bandwidth while the test is running. This can reduce the speed measured during the test. For the most accurate result, pause active downloads, close streaming apps, and ask others on your network to avoid using the internet while the test runs. ### Test multiple times Internet speeds naturally vary throughout the day depending on how many people are online and how busy the network is. A single test is a snapshot of one moment. Run the test a few times at different times of day, including busy evening hours, to get a clearer picture of how your connection performs overall. ## Not getting the speed you expected? If your results are slower than expected, there may be simple ways to improve your connection. Our team can help check your setup and identify potential issues. - [Check plans available at your address](https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/check-availability) - [Contact us](https://dev.www.lightningip.com.au/contact) ## Speed test frequently asked questions ### Why is my speed test slower than my plan? Actual speeds can vary depending on Wi‑Fi strength, device performance, network congestion, and the time of day. ### Does Wi‑Fi affect speed tests? Yes. Wi‑Fi signals weaken with distance and can be blocked by walls, floors and interference from other devices, so a test over Wi‑Fi often shows a lower result than your connection is actually delivering. For the most accurate result, test on a device plugged into your modem with an ethernet cable. ### What is a good internet speed? It depends on how you use the internet and how many people share the connection. Browsing and email need very little, while streaming in HD or 4K, video calls, gaming and large uploads all need more - and each person or device doing those at the same time adds to it. If your household regularly feels slow at busy times, a faster plan may help. ### How can I improve slow internet? Start by restarting your modem, then move your modem somewhere central and off the floor, away from thick walls and other electronics. Connect devices that need the most speed with an ethernet cable, pause large downloads or backups, and keep your devices up to date. If it's still slow, contact our team and we'll help check your setup and your service. ### Should I run the speed test over Wi‑Fi or ethernet? Ethernet. A wired connection removes the variables that Wi‑Fi adds, so it measures the speed of your internet service itself. Testing over Wi‑Fi is still useful if you want to see what a particular room or device is getting. ### Why do speed test results vary each time? Each test is a snapshot of a few seconds. Results change with how busy the network is, what else is using your connection at that moment, and which test server is used. Running a few tests at different times of day gives a more reliable picture. ### Does the device I use affect the test result? Yes. Older computers, phones and tablets, and older Wi‑Fi hardware, may not be able to reach the full speed of your plan. Browser extensions, VPNs and background apps can also lower the result. Try testing on a recent device with a wired connection to compare. ### When should I contact support about slow speeds? If your speeds are consistently lower than expected after testing on a wired connection, restarting your modem and pausing other activity, get in touch. Let us know your test results and when you ran them, and our team will help work out what's going on.