Speed5 min read
Mbps, Ping, Jitter: Internet Speed Terms Explained Simply
Your ISP brags about gigabit speeds — but what do those numbers actually mean for Netflix, Zoom, and Fortnite?
Download & Upload (Mbps)
Mbps means megabits per second. Download speed is how fast data reaches you (streaming, browsing). Upload is how fast you send data out (video calls, cloud backups, livestreaming).
Ping (Latency)
Ping is the time it takes for a tiny signal to travel to a server and back, measured in milliseconds. Lower is better. Under 30 ms feels instant; over 100 ms feels laggy in games.
Jitter
Jitter is the variation in your ping. High jitter causes choppy video calls and rubber-banding in online games — even if your average speed looks fine.
What you actually need
- Web browsing & email: 5 Mbps download
- HD streaming (Netflix): 5–10 Mbps
- 4K streaming: 25 Mbps
- Online gaming: 10 Mbps + ping under 50 ms
- Video calls (HD): 3 Mbps up & down
Run our free speed test to see exactly what you're getting from your ISP.