How to Calculate Throughput

Throughput is used to determine the maximum rate at which a computer user can expect data to transfer. Those using fast Internet connections might see their transfer levels as less than they expected due to a low throughput. This document will outline how to determine the maximum throughput available to computer users on their given network.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine your bandwidth in bits per second. Use the link in the Resources section to easily make the conversion. Write this number down.

2. Calculate your latency. To do this, open your command window. Type "cmd" in Windows to locate this window. On the command window, type "tracert www.google.com" without quotation marks. Hit enter; write down the times displayed in milliseconds. Determine the average time by adding all the time. Divide the sum by the number of times recorded.

3. Determine your TCP Window size by multiplying your latency and bandwidth together. For example, a bandwidth speed of 50 megabytes (converted to 419430400 bits) multiplied by a latency of 20 milliseconds (converted to .020 seconds) yields a TCP Window size of 8,388,608 bits.

4. Divide your TCP Window size by your latency to determine the throughput in bits. Using the information above, the TCP Windows size of 8388608 divided by .020 seconds yields a throughput of 419430400 bits per second.

5. Convert your throughput to megabytes per second by multiplying your bits by (1.1920929 --- 10^-7) or using a conversion calculator (provided in the Resources section). The result is your throughput in megabytes per second.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the accuracy needed, you can make converting easier by assuming 1000 bytes yield 1 kilobyte as opposed to the more accurate 1024 bytes in 1 kilobyte.

References

• Internet Work Expert

Resources

• Bits to Bytes Conversion Calculator
• Determine Bandwidth with this Test