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Internet FAQ · Speed

Is 500 Mbps fast?

Updated · Checked against 5 sources · How we use the data

Yes, 500 Mbps is fast. It is five times the FCC's 100 Mbps download benchmark for high-speed broadband.[1] In ideal conditions it moves about 62.5 megabytes per second, enough to download a 3 GB movie in around 50 seconds.[2] Most homes, even busy ones, will not use all of it at once.

How fast is 500 Mbps for a big download? A 100 GB game takes about 27 minutes at a full 500 Mbps, by the same math.[3] Real downloads run slower when Wi-Fi, the device or the game server can't keep up.

Is 500 Mbps good for gaming?

Yes, but speed is not the main thing. The FCC lists 4 Mbps as the minimum for online multiplayer.[4] Cloud gaming needs more: GeForce NOW asks for 25 Mbps for 1080p at 60 FPS and 45 Mbps for 4K at 120 FPS.[5] It also requires less than 80 ms of latency.[5] For games, low latency and a steady connection matter more than extra Mbps.[3] A wired Ethernet cable to the console or PC helps.[5]

Upload speed is the other check. Cable and DSL plans usually upload slower than they download, while fiber is often the same both ways.[2] That matters if you stream your games or back up large files.

Many homes do fine on a cheaper tier. Before you pay for the faster plan, read our guide on whether a lower tier is enough to see where it stops keeping up and when the step up is worth it.

Your next step Is 300 Mbps Enough for Home Internet? See when 300 Mbps fits your household, how long large downloads could take and why upload capacity or Wi-Fi may matter more than a faster tier. Start here

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Sources

  1. FCC: FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark (news release, March 14, 2024). FCC, FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark, March 14, 2024, accessed October 27, 2026. The 100 Mbps benchmark. ↩
  2. AT&T: Is 500 Mbps fast?. AT&T, Is 500 Mbps fast?, accessed October 27, 2026. Transfer rate, movie example, upload types. ↩
  3. AT&T: Mbps vs Gbps, Understanding the differences. AT&T, Mbps vs Gbps, accessed October 27, 2026. Gaming and latency; the game time is our math. ↩
  4. FCC: Broadband Speed Guide. FCC, Broadband Speed Guide, accessed October 27, 2026. Online multiplayer minimum. ↩
  5. NVIDIA: System Requirements for GeForce NOW Cloud Gaming. NVIDIA, GeForce NOW System Requirements, accessed October 27, 2026. Speed, latency and wired advice. ↩

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Editorial policy

(201) 856-5534 Independent comparison service, not your internet provider