Guide
How much internet speed do you need?
Most households overpay for speed they never use, and a few underbuy. Here is how to size it.
Rough guide by household
| Household | Typical need |
|---|---|
| 1–2 people, streaming and browsing | 100–300 Mbps |
| 3–4 people, video calls, some gaming | 300–500 Mbps |
| 5+ people, work from home, many devices | 500 Mbps–1 Gbps |
| Heavy uploads or smart-home-heavy | 1 Gbps and up, ideally fiber |
What each activity uses
| Activity | Typical speed |
|---|---|
| HD streaming | 5–10 Mbps per stream |
| 4K streaming | 15–25 Mbps per stream |
| Video calls | 3–10 Mbps up and down |
| Online gaming | 10–25 Mbps (low latency matters more) |
Typical figures; actual needs vary by service and settings.
Questions
Is gig internet worth it?
For many homes, no: 300 to 500 Mbps handles typical use. Gig is worth it for large households, heavy uploads and lots of connected devices.
What is the difference between download and upload?
Download is what you pull in: streaming and browsing. Upload is what you send out: video calls, backups and posting video. Fiber often offers much faster uploads than cable.
Related: fiber vs cable and lowering your bill.
Ready for internet that just works?
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