What is a good internet speed for gaming?

How many mbps do I need for gaming?

For most consoles and PCs, the minimum internet speed for gaming is approximately 3 to 6 mbps download speed, with an upload speed of at least 0.5 mbps. To get the best performance, including the ability to play smoothly in higher resolutions and detail settings, a connection with at least 20 mbps down and 3 mbps up is recommended.

These numbers assume that you’re the only person in your household gaming or using bandwidth. If you share a connection with others who are streaming HD video, gaming, video conferencing, or using high-bandwidth apps, you’ll probably need a higher internet speed. Depending on how many people you share with, you might need 100 mbps, 200 mbps, or even more for smooth gaming. 

Download and upload speeds are important for gaming performance, and a fast download speed is especially convenient when you’re downloading software updates or new games. However, the main limiting factor for in-game performance is the connection’s latency.

Understanding the effects of latency and ping rate

Latency (also known as ping rate) is the number one factor in your online gaming experience. Basically, your connection’s latency is how long it takes to physically transmit packets of data to and from the server you’re communicating with. 

The higher your latency in milliseconds, the longer your network takes to send and receive packets. At higher ping rates, you’ll notice a significant decrease in your game’s performance, including jittery graphics and slow, disjointed movement. 

Here’s what gamers can expect at different levels of latency:

• Low Ping: 0 to 30 milliseconds (ms) is an excellent ping rate that will provide top-tier gaming performance.

• Medium Ping: 30 to 100 ms is a good-to-average ping rate for most gamers. You may notice occasional performance issues, but the game will remain playable.

• High Ping: Anything above 100 ms is considered a high ping rate that can have serious negative effects on your game’s performance. If your ping is consistently in this range, talk to your internet service provider or see the suggestions below. 

Wondering what your ping rate is? Our internet speed test will tell you. Many games also offer a built-in tool for checking your ping, usually located in the game’s network settings options. 

Improving internet speeds and gaming experiences

Every gamer knows the pain of gaming on a laggy, high-ping connection. So what can you do to improve your connection’s performance while gaming? Here are some key tactics to try:

• Use a wired Ethernet connection for gaming instead of WiFi if possible. 

• Move your WiFi router and your PC or gaming console closer together.

• Make sure you’re connecting to the server that’s closest to you.

• Do your gaming when other people in the house aren’t using your network. 

• Upgrade to a high-performance fiber optic internet connection if one is available.

For more information, check out our guide to optimizing your internet speed with multiple users at home.