Internet FAQ · Speed
What is a good internet speed?
A good internet speed for most homes is at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. That is the FCC's benchmark for high-speed home broadband, set in March 2024.[1] One person who browses and streams HD can get by on much less. A busy home with 4K TVs and work calls needs more room.
| Activity | FCC minimum download | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Email and browsing | 1 Mbps | One activity |
| HD video | 5 to 8 Mbps | One stream |
| 4K video | 25 Mbps | One stream |
| HD video meeting | 6 Mbps | One call |
| Online multiplayer game | 4 Mbps | One player |
These are the FCC's rough minimums for one activity at a time.[2] They add up when people are online together, because every device shares the plan's speed.[3] The FCC suggests more than 25 Mbps for three or more people with heavy use at once.[4]
So a fair rule for planning: a plan that meets the FCC's 100 Mbps benchmark suits one or two people.[1] A family that streams, games and works from home at the same time may want 300 Mbps or more, the tier AT&T says covers daily use for many households.[3] Upload matters too if you send big files or join video calls all day.
To get a number for your own home, answer a few quick questions in our internet speed calculator. It uses the same FCC tiers shown above.
More internet questions
Sources
- FCC: FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark (news release, March 14, 2024). FCC, FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark, news release of March 14, 2024, accessed October 27, 2026. The 100/20 Mbps benchmark for high-speed fixed broadband. ↩
- FCC: Broadband Speed Guide. FCC, Broadband Speed Guide, accessed October 27, 2026. Minimum download speeds per activity, one activity at a time. ↩
- AT&T: Mbps vs Gbps, Understanding the differences. AT&T, Mbps vs Gbps, accessed October 27, 2026. Devices share a plan's bandwidth; 300 Mbps covers daily use for many households. ↩
- FCC: Household Broadband Guide. FCC, Household Broadband Guide, accessed October 27, 2026. Advanced service (more than 25 Mbps) for heavy use on several devices at once. ↩
Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Editorial policy