Internet FAQ · Speed
What is a good internet upload and download speed?
A good home internet speed is at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. That is the FCC's benchmark for high-speed fixed broadband, set in March 2024.[1] Download covers streaming and web pages. Upload covers what you send: video calls, cloud backups and live streams. If you work or create online, look closely at the upload number.
| What you send | Upload needed |
|---|---|
| Zoom group call in 720p HD | 2.6 Mbps[2] |
| Zoom call sending 1080p video | 3.8 Mbps minimum[2] |
| YouTube live stream, 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps minimum, 14 Mbps recommended[3] |
| YouTube live stream, 4K at 30 fps | 11 Mbps minimum, 42 Mbps recommended[3] |
These numbers are per call or per stream. Two people on video calls at once need about twice the upload. A 20 Mbps upload covers a few HD calls, but not a 4K live stream at YouTube's recommended rate.[3]
Upload speed depends a lot on the type of connection. AT&T says its fiber plans have equal upload and download speeds.[4] T-Mobile lists typical 5G home uploads of 12 to 55 Mbps.[5] Before you buy, read the upload figure on each plan's broadband label; the FCC requires providers to show speeds there.[6]
If two or more people work from home, compare uploads side by side, not just downloads. Our guide to internet for working from home shows how to size a plan for video calls, VPNs and big file uploads.
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. ↩
- Zoom: Enabling HD video for Zoom Meetings. Zoom, Enabling HD video for Zoom Meetings, accessed October 27, 2026. Upload and download bandwidth for 720p and 1080p video. ↩
- YouTube Help: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions. YouTube Help, Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, accessed October 27, 2026. Minimum and recommended H.264 bitrates by resolution. ↩
- AT&T Fiber Internet. AT&T, AT&T Fiber Internet, accessed October 27, 2026. Fiber plans have equal upload and download speeds. ↩
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Plans. T-Mobile, 5G Home Internet Plans, accessed October 27, 2026. Typical 5G home upload speeds of 12 to 55 Mbps. ↩
- FCC: Broadband Consumer Labels. FCC, Broadband Consumer Labels, accessed October 27, 2026. Labels must show prices, introductory rates, data allowances and speeds. ↩
Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Editorial policy