Free tool
Internet Speed Calculator: How Much Speed Do You Need?
Most households pay for more speed than they use. Tell us how many people are online and what they do, and this calculator shows the Mbps you actually need plus the plan tier that fits.
1. How many people use the internet at home?
2. What happens on your WiFi?
You need about
90 Mbps
Best fit: Up to 100 Mbps — typically from $19.99/mo
Smaller households, light streaming
See what is available
Enter your ZIP code and we will show the plans, prices and $0-down options on your street.
How many Mbps do you need? Quick reference
| Household | Typical use | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | Browsing, one HD stream | 25–50 Mbps |
| 2–3 people | Work from home, HD streaming | 100–200 Mbps |
| 4–5 people | 4K TV, gaming, video calls | 300–500 Mbps |
| 6+ people | Several 4K streams, big uploads | 1 Gig |
Speed is shared. A 300 Mbps plan does not give every device 300 Mbps — the whole house draws from the same pipe, so the number that matters is your peak-time total, which is what the calculator above adds up (plus 20% headroom for evenings, when neighborhood traffic is heaviest).
Upload speed matters more than most people expect. If you back up photos, run cameras, stream to Twitch or spend the day on video calls, ask about the upload speed of the plan and not just the download number. Fiber-style plans are usually the ones with matching upload speeds.
Paying for a gig when you need 200 Mbps is the most common way households overspend. Run the numbers, then check what is actually available on your street — the plans that reach your address are the only ones that matter.
Internet speed questions
Is 100 Mbps enough for a family?
100 Mbps handles a household of two to three with HD streaming, video calls and normal browsing. Add 4K TVs, several gamers or a lot of uploading and 300 Mbps is the safer tier.
How much speed do I need to work from home?
Plan on about 12 Mbps per person on video calls, on top of whatever else the house is doing. Two remote workers plus streaming usually lands between 100 and 300 Mbps.
Do I need 1 Gig internet?
Only larger households, heavy gamers, or people who move very large files regularly see the difference. Most homes are well served under 500 Mbps.
Why is my internet slower than the plan I pay for?
WiFi distance, older routers, evening congestion and the number of connected devices all cut into the speed that reaches a laptop or TV. Wired speed near the router is the fair test.
Not sure which speed to order?
Tell a specialist what your household does online and get the right tier, the real price for your address and the $0-down setup options in one call.
Call 1-844-604-8227