Upload speed and download speed explained

We all want fast internet, but sometimes we just don’t need the fastest service available. If your upload speeds are stalling your video conferences, find out the upload and download speed explained and what you can do about it.

What is the difference between upload and download speed

To understand the difference between download and upload speeds explained, you first have to take a look at how internet speed is measured. It's all about how fast data can transfer to or from your computer, which measures in megabits of data that can be transferred per second (Mbps).

The download speed refers to how fast the data can be transferred from the internet to your computer, while the upload speed refers to how fast the data can transfer from your computer to the internet. 

Also read | Internet Speeds Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Importance of upload speeds amid the pandemic

The pandemic brought about an unprecedented number of people learning and working from home, for better or worse. Along the way, our home office setups and equipment have evolved, but our internet connections remain the cornerstone of our ability to safely learn, work and connect with others. While download upload speed explained are still the champion of our internet service, upload speeds are increasingly important as we continue to adapt to what may be the new normal.

What are upload speeds used for?

Upload speed determines how fast you can send, or upload, data from your computer or device to the internet. This includes uploading files, such as pictures and videos to social media or homework assignments, but upload speeds are also essential to video conferencing, VOIP calling, and online gaming.

Similar to how download and upload speed explained affect picture and sound quality when streaming a show on your TV, your upload speeds affect how others see and hear you on the other end of your video conference or online game. Slow or unstable upload speeds are often the cause of awkward frozen screens and broken audio when using apps like Skype or Zoom.

How much upload speed do you need to avoid being the cause of interrupting meetings or class discussions? What's considered a good upload speed can vary depending on a number of factors, including how many users and connected devices you have in your home.

What do I really need in my home?

Let’s be honest: choosing the right internet speed for your home depends on your budget and your needs. Below are some tips on what you should aim for when purchasing your internet package or upgrading your current internet services.

Also read | What are good download and upload speeds

What’s a “fast” internet speed?

Any speeds that clock 200 Mbps or above are considered “fast.” Anything close to or at 1000 Mbps is considered a Gigabit speed or service. These are premium service packages and are often only available in certain areas where service providers have networks set up to sustain these speeds.

Most households don’t require this kind of speed, however. Usually, these speeds are reserved for businesses or high-traffic, high-demand networks like university campuses. The speed your household actually needs is likely less than you think.

It’s pretty standard for most of today’s households to need 25 Mbps of bandwidth speed. Of course, there are always other factors that play into your decision, and your individual needs should always be considered first.

Also read | What should be the upload and download speed

Gaming speeds

This can be the biggest factor in a household’s need for internet bandwidth. If you’re an avid gamer or have children who participate in online gaming matches, the minimum speed you should have is 4 - 8 Mbps. This is to keep gaming sessions free from lag, framerate drop, and crashing. We recommend anywhere from 10 - 25 Mbps if possible to ensure a smooth gaming experience that won’t affect other devices in the house trying to use the internet at the same time.

Streaming speeds

The most frustrating aspect when it comes to streaming is buffering. It can ruin movie night and lead to boredom during at-home quarantine. We recommend at least 3 to 4 Mbps for standard definition video streaming, 5 to 8 Mbps for high definition video streaming, and at least 25 Mbps for streaming Ultra HD 4K videos.

Also read | How to read upload and download speeds

Web browsing and social media speeds

Web browsing and social media scrolling don’t take much bandwidth on a network. We recommend anywhere from 1 to 10 Mbps for these activities at any point in time.

Working from home speeds

Working from home presents a new set of challenges for the home network. From video conference calls to streaming, WFH jobs demand more than standard usage--especially when a family has children and other high-bandwidth users hogging the internet at the same time.

We recommend at least 40 Mbps for working from home. The amount of bandwidth that’s used is a lot more for large file transfers, video conferencing, streaming, emailing, computer programs, and more.

If you still aren’t sure what you need, you can use this handy calculator by BroadbandNow to determine the minimum internet speed you should have for your household.

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