How to Calculate the Internet Download Speed

Internet download speed refers to the speed at which you can download Web pages, files and media content. Having a faster Internet download speed means having a faster Web browsing experience and being able to watch your favorite streaming media with less buffering. Luckily, you can find out your Internet download speed by downloading a file or going to a specialized speed-checking website.

Instructions

By Downloading a Large File

1. Open your Web browser and go to a website which hosts freeware file downloads (see Resources).

2. Choose a file to download.

3. Start downloading the file.

4. Check the download window of your browser. It will indicate the speed at which the file is being downloaded.

5. Cancel the download after you have checked your download speed.

By Visiting an Internet Speed-Testing Website

1. Open your Web browser and go to a speed testing website such as SpeedTest, Bandwidth Place or IP-address (see Resources).

2. Click on “Begin Test” or “Start Test.” Some of these websites will ask you to choose a city before starting the test. Choose the nearest city.

3. Wait for a few seconds as the test runs.

4. Record the results of the test. The results will usually contain the download speed and upload speed.

References

• Speed Guide: What is the Difference Between Kilobits and Kilobytes?

Resources

• CNet: Download Files
• Speed Test: Test Internet Speed
• Bandwidth Place: Test Download Speed
• IP Address: Test Internet Speed