Whether or not your internet connection download and upload speeds are considered "fast internet" is determined by many factors, including:

• The types of connectivity lines your internet service provider (ISP) uses to bring internet to your location, such as fiber, DSL, or satellite.
• Using an Ethernet cable versus Wi-Fi inside the home.
• The age and type of router you’re using.

The way you use your internet also affects its speeds in a positive or negative way. For example, if you have many types of devices competing for your network bandwidth, the overall internet speed will likely be lower.

Find out more about the main factors that affect your download and upload speeds and learn some troubleshooting tips in case you're dealing with the effects of slow internet speeds.

What is a good download speed?

While “good” download speeds have varied in number over the past couple of decades, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) most recently made a recommendation for 100 Mbps download speeds. That should support a family of three to four people and provide a decent overall speed.  

If your family uses the internet for work and recreational activities, you may find that your download speeds vary depending on the time of day and the types of online activities that are drawing on your network.

Consider an average family of four and their usage patterns. One adult may use the internet for streaming video, while another is shopping online. One child may be playing video games with friends while another is updating various social media apps.

Also, don’t forget all those smart appliances that are “talking” to one another in the background. Every device that is connected to your network eats away at your available bandwidth, so the more devices that are connected, the greater the strain on speeds.

It’s a good practice to secure more speed than you think you will need to account for unknown factors such as network latency, geographical location, distance between your router and your devices, wireless interference, network slowdowns, and more.

If your router is several years old, upgrading to a new model may also benefit your performance because running an older router can negatively affect your upload and download speeds.

What is a good upload speed?

Uploads are normally not used as much as downloads for the average family. The exception to this rule is if you create a lot of files and documents for work that require uploads to your organization’s network.

For example, a large video file may take several minutes or even hours to upload if your speeds are slow. Additionally, continually sending smaller-sized files could potentially result in slower speeds.

A good upload speed — as estimated by the FCC’s recent recommendations for raising broadband minimums — is 20 Mbps or more.

What is upload speed used for?

Upload speeds play a bigger role than most people think. They differ from downloads, as they solely determine how fast or slow you can send or upload data such as files, pictures, graphics, and videos. They also determine performance speeds for video conferencing (think Zoom or Skype), multiplayer online gaming, and VoIP calls.

Your upload speed will affect how others see and hear you over video conferencing platforms or gaming systems. If your upload speed is below average, your video appearance and spoken words may appear distorted or jumbled.

Consult the chart below for an illustration of upload speeds and the associated times:

You can use this upload speed calculator to determine times for various file size uploads and get a better idea of how much upload speed you might need.

Download speed vs. upload speed: which is more important?

Determining which speed is more important will depend on what your primary use will be. For most people, downloads are used far more often, as people tend to use the internet to stream movies, music, games, and more.

Keep in mind download speeds may also affect your TV show’s picture and sound quality. So if your household streams movies or TV shows, then download speed will likely be more important.

But if your work responsibilities dictate you’ll be uploading work files, videos, pictures, graphics, and documents, then your upload speed should be the primary factor to consider as it will be more important for you.

For example, consider how many files a certified public accountant (CPA) sends year after year from January through mid-April when taxes are due. Even though the files are relatively small and consist of financial data, forms, and signature documents used for electronic filing, uploading hundreds or even thousands of files could put a strain on the network if your upload speeds are subpar.

Why is my upload speed so slow?

If you’re experiencing excessive freezing and lagging on your video conferences, then your upload speeds are likely subpar, but the main problem could be the internet plan you selected from your provider.

Many times, internet providers advertise upload speeds that are actually about one-tenth of their advertised download speed. If your internet provider promotes download speeds of 100 Mbps, then your upload speed may be closer to 10 Mbps during peak times.

The best way to fix this problem is to change your plan to one that offers a higher upload speed than you're currently getting. You could also check for a fiber internet plan in your area, since fiber plans typically come with symmetrical, or matching, download and upload speeds.

Some additional causes of slow upload speeds with possible solutions are:

• Your wireless network is inefficient for the amount of uploads you initiate. Switching to a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi will yield faster speeds.
• Multiple uploads are occurring at the same time. Stagger uploads at different times to avoid simultaneous interference — especially if you’re uploading large files.
• You hit your monthly data cap. Monitor your activity to keep track of your data usage to avoid going over your cap or upgrade your plan to one that offers a higher data cap or no cap at all.

What is a good download and upload speed for my internet?

Most download and upload speeds will vary depending on the connection type you have. If you’re subscribed to a fiber internet plan, like those offered by AT&T Fiber or Verizon Fios, your download and upload speeds are usually symmetrical, which results in superior performance.

Depending on who you ask, most internet speeds of 200 Mbps or more are considered very fast. Additionally, some areas where service providers operate have advanced networks with premium service options with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Most families don’t need these highest speeds mainly because they can operate just fine with lower speeds that more closely match their needs at a lower price point.

Most households can thrive with 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds, but yours may require more bandwidth to handle all the devices connected to your network. Refer to the chart below to find a speed that will match your desired performance.

Upload vs. download speed FAQs

Bottom line

As the old saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And for internet speeds, the beauty will only last as long as your desired speeds match your upload versus download demands.

If your budget or location won’t allow you to secure a fiber connection with symmetrical speeds for both uploading and downloading, try to find a plan that offers better-than-average speeds without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that you’re likely aiming for download speeds of 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps.

But don’t settle for upload speeds that won’t cover your business needs, especially if your job requires creating and uploading large content files that tend to hog your available bandwidth. It’s better to have a little more speed at your disposal than not enough.

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Author Details

Juliana Kenny

About the Author

Juliana Kenny is a freelance writer with 13 years of experience specializing in cybersecurity topics. Her expertise includes endpoint security, cloud security, and networking technologies like secure access service edge (SASE). She has written for technology giants, including Oracle, Hitachi Vantara, and Comcast. When she's not diving deep into security news, you can find her bird-watching or baking.