Internet speed calculator
Find out how much internet speed your home needs for streaming, gaming, video calls, and working from home.
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Internet plans are sold by speed in megabits per second (Mbps). The right speed depends less on how many people live with you and more on what everyone does at the same time. This calculator adds up your household's busiest moment, then adds some breathing room so things stay smooth.
Download vs upload speed
Download speed is how fast data reaches you: streaming, browsing, and downloading. Upload speed is how fast you send data: video calls, backups, posting videos, and security cameras. Most plans offer much more download than upload, so if you work from home or upload a lot, check the upload figure before you buy.
How much speed common activities use
| Activity | Typical speed per device |
|---|---|
| Browsing, email, social media, music | 1 to 3 Mbps |
| HD video streaming | About 5 Mbps |
| 4K video streaming | About 15 to 25 Mbps |
| HD video calls | About 3 to 4 Mbps each way |
| Online gaming | 3 to 6 Mbps, but a steady connection matters more than speed |
| Cloud security camera | About 1 to 4 Mbps upload each |
These are typical figures. Services adjust quality to your connection, so they can use more or less than this.
Common questions
Is 100 Mbps fast enough?
For most homes of two to four people, yes. 100 Mbps comfortably covers several HD streams, video calls, and gaming at once. Larger households, heavy 4K streaming, or frequent big downloads benefit from 200 to 500 Mbps.
Do I need gigabit internet?
Few homes need 1 Gbps for everyday use. It mainly helps if you download very large files often or have many people doing demanding things at once. Many devices and Wi-Fi setups can't reach gigabit speeds anyway.
Why is my internet slow even with a fast plan?
The usual culprit is Wi-Fi, not your plan: distance from the router, walls, an older router, or crowded channels. Try the connection near the router or with a cable to compare, and consider a newer router or a mesh system for bigger homes. Our router login guide shows how to open your router's settings.
How much upload speed do I need?
For video calls, at least 5 to 10 Mbps. If several people work from home, back up large files, or stream live, aim for 20 Mbps or more.
Last updated October 2026.