How to Find Out the Connection Speed of Your Computer

It's important to determine your average connection speed to the Internet because you can make sure you're getting a speed that meets or exceeds the quote given by your Internet service provider (ISP). You can also ensure that your connection is clean and free from interference to minimize the number of connection errors while you're browsing the Web. Find out the connection speed of your computer by using an Internet speed test.

Instructions

1. Call your Internet service provider (ISP) and request a quote regarding your Internet connection speed. Ask for both upload and download speeds, as these are separate but equally important figures. This will give you a good ballpark number when you are testing the connection, and establishes a precedent if you discover your actual connection speed is slower than the ISP promised.

2. Go to an online speed test such as Speedtest.net (see Resources). This will provide access to a test server in your area, from which you can determine your overall connection speed. Choose a server that is close to your home for the most accurate results. The test itself should take no longer than a minute, after which time it will report both your upload and download speeds.

3. Perform the same test using different servers to create an average range for your Internet connection speed. Along with using different servers through Speedtest, use other Internet connection tests such as CNET's (see Resources).

4. Write down all of your totals from the various tests and average them to come up with a basic connection speed for your machine.

References

• Speedtest: About

Resources

• Speedtest.net: The Global Broadband Speed Test
• CNET.com: Bandwidth Meter Online Speed Test