How to Determine Internet Download Speed

Measuring a computer's bandwidth determines what is the speed of its Internet connection. Because information travels from two directions, both from the Internet to a computer and from a computer to the Internet, two parts make up the speed of an internet connection or bandwidth. These two parts are upload speed and download speed. "Symmetric" connections, aka connections that are 33k and lower, have very similar if not the same upload and download speeds. "Asymmetric" connections, such as cable modems and ADSL, have different upload and download speeds.

Instructions

1. Log onto a website that offers a download speed test. There are multiple websites that give free download speed tests, such as PC Pitstop, Testmy.net and Speedtest.net.

2. Run the download speed test multiple times by following the simple instructions listed on the website and record the results.

3. Test the Internet download speed multiple times again, at a different time in the day. Doing so at different times in the day is the best way to determine Internet download speed because other factors, such as Internet traffic, affect download speed depending on the time of day.

References

• Pcpitstop: About Bandwidth

Resources

• Pcpitstop: Bandwidth Speed Test
• Testmy: Download Speed Test
• Speedtest: Test