How SpeedPuls works
What happens during a test, what the numbers mean, and how to get a more reliable reading.
1. Latency
The test sends a handful of tiny requests and records the round-trip time. The middle value is your ping; the variation is your jitter.
2. Download
Several parallel streams pull data from the nearest server while the gauge tracks throughput in real time.
3. Upload
The same idea in reverse. Upload matters for video calls, cloud backups and sending large files.
The streaming test and UDP
The Streaming test simulates an adaptive-bitrate video session. It opens a QUIC connection over UDP port 443, starts at a low quality and steps up through 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p, 1440p and 4K as long as the connection keeps up.
While it runs we track the startup time, the number of buffering events, the highest stable quality and the UDP packet loss. Because the traffic pattern matches what streaming platforms use, it reveals problems that a plain download test can miss, such as bursty loss or unstable latency.
You can choose a duration from 1 to 60 minutes. A short run gives a quick estimate, while a long one helps catch intermittent dips that only show up over time. The test lasts exactly as long as you choose, and you can stop it at any moment.
Frequently asked questions
What does the speed test measure?
Four things: latency (ping), jitter, download speed and upload speed. Together they describe how responsive and how fast your connection is for everyday use.
What is a good ping?
Under 30 ms is excellent for most uses, including online games and video calls. Between 30 and 80 ms is fine for browsing and streaming. Above 100 ms you may notice lag in real-time applications.
What is jitter?
Jitter is how much your latency changes from one packet to the next. Low jitter (a few milliseconds) means a steady connection. High jitter causes choppy calls and stuttering streams even when raw speed looks great.
Why is my result lower than what my provider advertises?
Advertised speeds are usually the maximum under ideal conditions. Wi-Fi signal, other devices on your network, router age, time of day and the distance to the test server all reduce real-world numbers. A wired connection gives the most accurate reading.
Which server does the test use?
SpeedPuls picks a nearby server automatically based on network latency. The server name is shown under the gauge once a test starts.
Does the test use a lot of data?
A full test can transfer roughly 100 to 400 MB depending on how fast your connection is. If you are on a metered or mobile plan, run it sparingly.
How often should I test?
Testing at different times of day (morning, evening, weekend) gives you a better picture than a single run. Close streaming apps and downloads first for the cleanest result.
Why does the streaming test use UDP?
Modern video platforms, video calls and online games send media over UDP-based transports such as QUIC (HTTP/3), WebRTC and RTP. UDP avoids the head-of-line blocking of TCP, so one lost packet does not stall everything behind it. The Streaming test connects the same way real services do, which makes its result a better predictor of how video will actually play.
What does UDP packet loss mean?
It is the share of media packets that never arrive. Under 0.5% is normal and invisible. Around 1–2% can cause visible artifacts or a drop in quality, and anything higher usually means a congested or unstable link.
How long should the streaming test run?
One to three minutes is enough for a quick check. Choose 15 minutes or more to catch intermittent problems such as evening congestion or periodic Wi-Fi dropouts. The test always lasts exactly as long as you choose, and you can stop it at any time.
Can I trust the numbers?
Browser-based tests are good estimates, not lab measurements. Use them to compare your own connection over time and to spot problems, rather than as a legal benchmark.
Tips for a more accurate test
- Use an Ethernet cable or stand close to your Wi-Fi router.
- Pause downloads, cloud sync and video streams on all devices.
- Run the test two or three times and compare the results.
- Disable VPN or proxy tools if you want to measure your raw connection.