Short answers to the questions people ask most about testing internet speed, reading the results, and understanding the IP address a test sees. For a live measurement, use the free internet speed test. To look up the address your ISP assigned, see what is my IP.
How do I test my Wi-Fi speed?
Close extra downloads and video streams, then tap Start Test. SpeedMetric measures your Wi-Fi or wired connection in the browser and reports download speed, upload speed and ping in about 8–12 seconds. Read about how download, upload and ping are measured.
What is a good internet speed?
It depends on how you use the connection. Around 25 Mbps download is typically enough for HD streaming; 100 Mbps or more is more comfortable for 4K, large downloads and several people at once. Upload speed matters for video calls and sending files. Ping under about 30 ms feels snappy for games and calls. Read about good internet speed by activity.
What is the difference between download and upload speed?
Download speed is how fast data reaches your device (streaming, browsing, updates). Upload speed is how fast you send data (video calls, cloud backups, sharing files). An internet speed test should measure both, plus ping. Read about download vs upload speed, ping and jitter.
Why does ping matter in a speed test?
Ping is the round-trip delay to the test server, in milliseconds. High ping makes games, calls and remote desktops feel laggy even when download speed looks fine. Jitter is how much that delay jumps around. Read about what ping and jitter mean.
Is this speed test free?
Yes. You can run an internet speed test on SpeedMetric for free, with no account or email. Results reflect your last-mile connection at that moment and can vary with Wi-Fi signal, congestion and the device you use.
Why is my speed lower than the speed my ISP advertises?
Plans are typically a maximum, not a guarantee. Wi-Fi interference, distance from the router, other devices on the network, VPN software and busy hours can all cut throughput. Test next to the router, then on Ethernet if you can — a large gap usually means the Wi-Fi hop, not the ISP line. Read about what speed is enough for your household.
What is the difference between Mbps and MB/s?
ISPs and speed tests use megabits per second (Mbps). File downloads are often shown in megabytes per second (MB/s). There are 8 bits in a byte, so 80 Mbps is about 10 MB/s. SpeedMetric reports Mbps, the same unit as your plan.
Does a VPN change my speed test result?
Usually yes. A VPN adds an extra hop and encryption, which can lower throughput and raise ping. For a picture of your ISP connection, pause the VPN, retest, then compare.
Can I test internet speed on my phone?
Yes. The same test runs in mobile browsers on Android and iPhone. On cellular, the result is your mobile data path, not your home Wi-Fi — switch networks if you meant to measure the other one.
What is my public IP address?
Your public IP is the address the internet uses to reach your connection. SpeedMetric can show it in your browser; we do not store it or build a profile from it. Read about see your public IP address.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 addresses look like 203.0.113.10. IPv6 addresses are longer and use hex, like 2001:db8::1. Many connections have both. Neither version is a speed rating by itself; routing and congestion matter more. Read about how IP addresses work.
Is a public IP the same as a private IP?
No. Your phone or laptop usually has a private address on Wi-Fi (often 192.168.x.x). Your router shares one public IP with the internet. Speed tests and websites see the public address. Read about public vs private IP addresses.