How to Find Out the Browsing Speed of an Internet Connection

Do a speed test to find your Internet speed.

Internet connections are often advertised at maximum speeds by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Actual speeds can vary greatly. A loss of browsing speed can occur for two common reasons: if you're located a great distance from the Internet distribution center and if you're using the Internet during peak hours. Internet browsing speed is measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) at high speeds and Kilobits per second (Kbps) at lower speeds (1 Mbps = 1000 Kbps).

Instructions

1. Restart your computer. In Windows, click the "Restart" option from the "Start" menu. On a Mac OS, click the "Restart" option from the Apple menu. This ensures that any background applications that may be using the Internet connection are not running. Also, close any programs that started when your computer loaded, as these could change test results.

2. Restart the modem. Unplug the power cable, wait 30 seconds and then reattach the cable.This creates a new connection to the Internet. Check that the connection has been re-established to the computer before continuing.

3. Open an Internet browser, and go to an Internet browsing speed test site (see Resources).

4. Click the "Start" or "Begin Test" button. Wait for the test to complete. Tests usually provide a visual display of real-time results.

5. Compare the results provided with the advertised speed of your service. If there is a significant discrepancy, contact your ISP to troubleshoot the problem.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform the test multiple times and take an average value. This will help remove any anomalies in the results.

• Check your speed at different times of the day to see if it improves outside of peak hours.

References

• Speedtest
• CNET: Bandwidth Meter Online Speed Test

Resources

• Speedtest
• InternetFrog: Internet Speed Test
• Speakeasy: Speed Test