Tool · Based on FCC guidance
How much internet speed do I need?
Pick how many people use the internet at once and what they do. The answer uses the FCC's Household Broadband Guide tiers and its per-activity minimums, nothing invented by us.
Calculator
Your household
Tick what happens in a busy hour. The result updates as you go.
The rule
FCC Household Broadband Guide: minimum download speed by household
Light use is basic functions (email, browsing, basic video, VoIP, internet radio). Moderate adds one high-demand application (HD streaming, multiparty video conferencing, online gaming, telecommuting). High use runs more than one high-demand application at the same time.
| Household | Light use | Moderate use | High use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 user on 1 device | Basic3 to 8 Mbps | Basic3 to 8 Mbps | Medium12 to 25 Mbps |
| 2 users or devices at a time | Basic3 to 8 Mbps | Medium12 to 25 Mbps | Medium to Advanced12 Mbps at least; more than 25 Mbps with several heavy activities |
| 3 users or devices at a time | Medium12 to 25 Mbps | Medium12 to 25 Mbps | Advancedmore than 25 Mbps |
| 4 or more users or devices at a time | Medium12 to 25 Mbps | Advancedmore than 25 Mbps | Advancedmore than 25 Mbps |
Tiers as the FCC defines them: Basic service 3 to 8 Mbps; Medium service 12 to 25 Mbps; Advanced service more than 25 Mbps. Where the FCC lists "Medium/Advanced" we show "Medium to Advanced". Upload speed: the FCC guides give download only; the FCC's fixed broadband benchmark is 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (FCC, March 2024), so 20 Mbps upload is a sensible floor when people video-call or work from home.
Per activity
FCC Broadband Speed Guide: minimum download speed per activity
Measured one activity at a time; the FCC notes that extra speed may improve performance.
| Activity | Minimum download | Counts as |
|---|---|---|
| General browsing and email | 1 Mbps | Basic |
| Social media | 1 Mbps | Basic |
| Streaming online radio or music | 0.5 Mbps | Basic |
| Internet voice calls (VoIP) | 0.5 Mbps | Basic |
| Streaming standard-definition video | 4 Mbps | Basic |
| Standard or HD personal video call | 1.5 Mbps | Basic |
| Streaming HD video | 8 Mbps | High-demand |
| Streaming 4K (Ultra HD) video | 25 Mbps | High-demand |
| HD video conferencing (several people) | 6 Mbps | High-demand |
| Online multiplayer gaming | 4 Mbps | High-demand |
| Working or studying from home | 25 Mbps | High-demand |
| Downloading large files | 10 Mbps | High-demand |
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