Internet Speed, Explained
Everything we know about megabits, megabytes and the gap between the speed you pay for and the speed you see. Every guide is written to answer one question properly and link you straight to the calculator that does the maths.
15 guides
- ReferenceCommon Internet Speed Terminology Explained for Non-TechiesEvery term a provider, router or support agent will use, explained in one sentence each — and why bandwidth is not speed.3 min read
- Real-world speedUploading vs Downloading: Understanding Asymmetric Internet SpeedsThe second number on your plan is the one that will frustrate you, and it is usually a tenth of the first.3 min read
- ReferenceHow to Test Your Actual Internet Speed (And What the Numbers Mean)Most speed tests are run in a way that guarantees a misleading result. Here is how to get a number you can actually act on.3 min read
- Real-world speedFibre vs Cable vs 5G: Comparing Real-World Download SpeedsThree technologies, three very different shapes of performance. The headline speed is the least useful way to tell them apart.3 min read
- Real-world speedWhy Your Wi-Fi Feels Slower Than Your Plan's Advertised SpeedYour ISP delivers the advertised speed to the router. Everything after that is your Wi-Fi's problem, and it loses a lot.3 min read
- ReferenceMbps to MB/s Conversion Chart for Common Internet PlansEvery consumer speed tier converted, plus how long common files take on each. One page, no arithmetic.3 min read
- Gaming & platformsHow Long Does It Really Take to Download a Game? A Real-World GuideA 50 GB game on a 500 Mbps line takes 13 minutes in theory and closer to 18 in practice. Here is where the missing time goes.3 min read
- Gaming & platformsEpic Games, Steam and Console Downloads: Speed Units Across PlatformsSteam says MB/s. Xbox says Mbps. PlayStation says both, in different menus. Here is what each platform is actually telling you.3 min read
- Units explainedHow ISPs Advertise Speed (And Why It's Always in Mbps, Not MB/s)Mbps is both a legitimate engineering standard and a conveniently larger number. Both things are true at once.3 min read
- Units explainedBits vs Bytes: The Most Confusing Concept in Networking, ExplainedA single capital letter separates two numbers that differ by eight times. Here is the whole rule set, once and for all.3 min read
- Real-world speedWhat Internet Speed Do You Actually Need? A Practical GuideMost households are sold far more speed than they can use. Here is what each activity actually costs, in both units.3 min read
- Real-world speedHow to Calculate Download Time From Your Internet SpeedTwo steps of arithmetic tell you how long any file will take. The first step is where nearly everyone goes wrong.3 min read
- Gaming & platformsWhy Does Steam Show Download Speed in MB/s Instead of Mbps?Steam has no unit setting, and it never will. Here is the reasoning behind it — and how to work out what speed you should be seeing.3 min read
- Units explainedMbps vs MB/s: Why Your Speed Test Doesn't Match Your Download SpeedYour speed test says 500. Your download says 60. Neither is wrong — they are measuring the same connection in two different units.4 min read
See your real download speed
Stop guessing what your internet plan actually delivers. Convert your Mbps figure to MB/s, then find out exactly how long that next 50 GB game update is going to take.