Internet Speed Guide: What Mbps Do You Actually Need?
ISPs want to sell you 1 Gbps. Most households need 100-200 Mbps. Here is how to know your number.
Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The speed you need depends on how many people and devices use the connection simultaneously, and what they do with it.
Speed Requirements by Activity
Email and web browsing: 5 Mbps. Standard definition video: 5-10 Mbps. HD video streaming (1080p): 10-25 Mbps per stream. 4K video streaming: 25-50 Mbps per stream. Online gaming: 25-50 Mbps (latency matters more). Video conferencing (Zoom): 10-25 Mbps. Large file downloads: 50+ Mbps.
Household Sizing Guide
1-2 people, light use: 50-100 Mbps. 2-4 people, moderate use: 100-200 Mbps. 4+ people, heavy use (multiple 4K streams, gaming): 300-500 Mbps. Home office with video calls + family streaming: 200-300 Mbps. Gigabit (1,000 Mbps) is overkill for 95% of households but costs only $10-20 more than 300 Mbps in many areas.