WiFi speed test – How to accurately measure your WiFi at home?

At 8 PM, Netflix freezes, the kids complain about Fortnite, and you're stuttering on your Zoom call – but is it the WiFi or the internet that's to blame? Most people think that if the router says 300 Mbps, the WiFi delivers that much too. In reality, WiFi speed is influenced by a host of factors: router placement, wall thickness, your neighbor's network, and even the microwave oven.

This article shows you exactly how to measure your WiFi speed with Speedtest365, what the results mean, and how to improve a weak connection. If you're not familiar with Speedtest365 yet, check out the internet speed test page first, where you'll also find the general measurement basics.

What determines WiFi speed? – The key factors

WiFi speed isn't determined by a single thing, but by a combination of several factors. The table below summarizes the most important ones:

Factor	Impact level	Explanation
Router Placement	High	A centrally placed router in an open area provides the best coverage
Distance from the router	High	Signal strength decreases with every meter, especially on higher frequencies
Walls and obstacles	Medium–High	Concrete walls and metal structures significantly attenuate the signal
WiFi standard	High	Older routers (802.11n) are considerably slower than modern WiFi 6/6E devices
Interference	Medium	Neighboring networks, Bluetooth, microwave ovens – all can disrupt the signal
4 GHz vs 5 GHz	Medium	4 GHz reaches farther but is slower; 5 GHz is faster but penetrates walls less effectively
Device capabilities	Medium	Older phones and laptops can't take advantage of a modern router's speed
Network traffic	Low–Medium	In the evening, when everyone is streaming, the network is more congested

4 GHz vs 5 GHz vs 6 GHz – which one should you use?

• 4 GHz: Slower (max. about 150 Mbps real-world speed), but reaches far. Use it when you're far from the router or need to penetrate thick walls. Its downside is that it's very crowded – nearly every household, and even your neighbors, use this band.
• 5 GHz: Faster (up to 600–900 Mbps), but with a shorter range. Ideal for streaming, gaming, and video calls when you're near the router.
• 6 GHz (WiFi 6E/7): The newest band, even less congested, theoretically with real-world speeds of up to 1–2 Gbps. Currently few devices support it, but by 2026 more and more new phones and laptops will include it.

WiFi standards and real-world speeds – table

Standard	Also known as	Theoretical max	Real-world average	Typical use
WiFi 4	11n	600 Mbps	50–150 Mbps	Browsing, email, basic streaming
WiFi 5	11ac	5 Gbps	200–600 Mbps	HD streaming, online gaming, video calls
WiFi 6	11ax	6 Gbps	400–900 Mbps	4K streaming, large files, many devices
WiFi 6E	11ax (6 GHz)	6 Gbps	500–1000 Mbps	Same as WiFi 6, but with less interference
WiFi 7	11be	30+ Gbps	1–2 Gbps	8K streaming, AR/VR, industrial applications

Why is the actual speed lower? The theoretical maximum can be measured under laboratory conditions, with a single device, in an interference-free environment. At home, due to walls, distance, other devices, and neighboring networks, the actual speed is typically 20–50% of the theoretical value.

How do we accurately measure WiFi speed?

Accurate measurement is not about standing next to the router and running a single test. WiFi measurement is different from wired – the signal is influenced by many external factors, so it is worth calculating an average from multiple measurements.

Preparation

1. Close background applications – downloads, updates, and cloud synchronization can distort the result.
2. Stop streaming services and online games on other devices on the network as well.
3. Place the test device in the usual usage location (not next to the router, if you usually work elsewhere).
4. Make sure the device is connected via Wi-Fi, not mobile data.
5. Check that the router firmware is up to date – router settings page provides a detailed guide.

Starting the test with Speedtest365

1. Open the Speedtest365 website at https://speedtest365.hu.
2. The system automatically selects the test server closest to you.
3. Click the blue Measure now button.
4. The measurement is completed within 30–60 seconds.
5. Download, upload, ping, and jitter values can also be viewed on a graph.
6. Note the results, then repeat the measurement two more times at different times of day.

Interpreting the results

Metric	Good value	Acceptable	Poor
Download	100+ Mbps	30–100 Mbps	Below 30 Mbps
Upload	30+ Mbps	10–30 Mbps	Below 10 Mbps
Ping	0–20 ms	20–50 ms	Above 50 ms
Jitter	0–5 ms	5–15 ms	Above 15 ms

If the download speed is below 30 Mbps on WiFi, but 100+ Mbps via cable, then the WiFi needs optimization. If the download speed is low in both cases, then your internet service provider is likely the source of the problem.

Checking signal strength – dBm values

Signal strength is measured in decibel-milliwatts (dBm). The closer it is to 0, the stronger the signal:

• −30 dBm: Excellent – next to the router
• −50 dBm: Good – typical value one room away
• −60 dBm: Acceptable – still a stable connection
• −70 dBm: Weak – slowdowns and disconnections may occur
• −80 dBm: Critical – barely usable connection

On most devices, you can check the dBm value next to the WiFi icon or in the router's admin interface.

„My WiFi is slow” – Diagnostic steps

WiFi speed testing is only the first step – if there's a problem, you need to know where to look for the issue. The simple decision tree below helps you identify the source of the problem:

Step	What to do?	What do the results mean?
1.	Run Run a WiFi speed test with Speedtest365	Note the download, upload, and ping values
2.	Run Run an Ethernet (cable) speed test with the same device	Use a cable between the router and the laptop/PC
3.	If WiFi is good, Ethernet is also good	There's no problem with the network – the slowdown is caused by something else (e.g., server-side)
4.	If WiFi is weak, Ethernet is good	The WiFi is the problem – router placement, interference, or band switching may be the solution
5.	If WiFi is weak, Ethernet is also weak	The ISP (internet service provider) is at fault – contact your provider
6.	If WiFi is much slower than Ethernet	WiFi optimization is needed – see the next chapter

Tip: When testing over cable, make sure the cable is Cat5e or better rated. Older Cat5 cables only support 100 Mbps.

Common WiFi speed problems and solutions

Reducing interference

Neighboring WiFi networks, Bluetooth devices, microwave ovens, and cordless phones can all interfere with the signal. Use a WiFi analyzer app (e.g., WiFi Analyzer for Android) to select the least congested channel.

Switching from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz

Many routers use the 2.4 GHz band by default because it has greater range. If you're near the router, switch to the 5 GHz band – the speed will increase significantly.

Updating router firmware

Manufacturers regularly release updates that improve performance and security. You can check for updates in the router's admin interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). For detailed instructions, see the router settings page.

Changing channels

If many neighboring networks use the same channel, congestion occurs. On the 2.4 GHz band, channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap – it's worth choosing from these. The 5 GHz band has more channels available, so congestion is rarer there.

Mesh system vs. repeater vs. Powerline

If the router doesn't cover the entire home, there are several solutions:

• WiFi repeater/extender: Cheap, but reduces bandwidth (by up to 50%)
• Powerline adapter: Carries the signal through the home's electrical network – more stable than a repeater
• Mesh system: Consists of multiple units, works as a single network – the best, but more expensive solution

Tips for better WiFi

Frequently asked questions about WiFi speed testing

What is the difference between WiFi and Ethernet speed?

Ethernet cables provide more stable and higher bandwidth because they are not subject to interference and signal strength fluctuations. On WiFi, the actual speed is typically 50-70% of the Ethernet speed, but this greatly depends on the conditions.

How long does a WiFi speed test take?

A Speedtest365 measurement typically takes 30–60 seconds, depending on the server selection and network conditions.

Why is there a big difference between WiFi and cable speed?

The WiFi signal weakens with distance, walls, and interference. If the WiFi speed is 50% or more lower, it is worth checking the router placement, the band used (2.4 vs 5 GHz), and the channel settings.

Is 20 Mbps WiFi speed good?

Sufficient for browsing and HD streaming, but for 4K streaming (Amazon Prime, Netflix), 25+ Mbps is recommended. For simultaneous use of multiple devices, 50+ Mbps is ideal.

How can I increase my WiFi speed?

Try the following: (1) move the router closer, (2) switch to 5 GHz, (3) update the router's firmware, (4) switch to a less congested channel, (5) consider purchasing a Mesh system.

What does ping mean and why is it important?

Ping (latency) measures how long it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to the server and back. For online gaming, a ping under 20 ms is ideal, while above 50 ms the delay becomes noticeable. Ping can also be increased by WiFi interference and distant servers.

How often should you perform a WiFi speed test?

Recommended once a month, or when you experience a decline in network performance. If you measure regularly, you can compare the results and notice problems in time.

Summary

WiFi speed testing isn't about a single number – for an accurate picture, multiple tests at different times of day and in different locations give the best results. With Speedtest365, you can quickly and reliably check your WiFi's performance, and if a problem arises based on the test, the diagnostic steps above help you identify whether the issue is with your WiFi or your internet service provider.

Test your WiFi now with Speedtest365!

If the value is weak, check the router settings for faster internet page, where you'll find detailed tips for WiFi optimization.

Article updated: 2026 – The Speedtest365 team