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What is latency? How to fix high latency
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Experiencing delays in online games or calls? You might be dealing with high latency. Learn what latency is, why it happens, and how to fix it
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 18 March 2025
What is latency?
Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from one point on a network (such as your device) to another point (like a website or online game server) and back again. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms) and affects how quickly the data loads and responds to your actions when you’re playing an online game, browsing a website, or streaming a video.
The lower the latency, the shorter this delay is. Low latency means your actions will be displayed on screen almost instantly, while high latency will cause noticeable delays between your action and the action being displayed on your screen.
This is especially noticeable in activities that require real-time actions, such as online gaming, video conferencing, or voice calls.
When you play an online game, for instance, every move you make needs to be sent to the game server. The server processes your action and sends the result back to you.
If the latency is low, this process happens very quickly, and the game will play smoothly. But if latency is high, you might notice delays or lag in your movements, which can cause things like your character in the game moving a second after you pressed the button or teleporting to different locations.
Latency vs ping: what’s the difference?
Latency is the total time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back, while ping is a tool used to measure that time. When people say "ping," they’re often talking about the latency number it reports, usually in milliseconds (ms). In short, latency is the delay itself, and ping is a way to measure and describe that delay.
Latency is the total time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back, while ping is a tool used to measure that time. When people say "ping," they’re often talking about the latency number it reports, usually in milliseconds (ms). In short, latency is the delay itself, and ping is a way to measure and describe that delay.
What causes high latency?
1. Distance to the server
Latency is often caused by the physical distance that data needs to travel. The farther your device is from the server you’re trying to connect to, the longer it takes for the data to make the round trip. If you’re in the UK but playing a game that only has US servers, for example, the data has to travel across underwater cables or satellites, which will increase your latency.
2. Network congestion
When many people are using the same network at the same time, it can become congested due to the broadband not being able to keep up. This slows down how quickly data can travel to and from your device, causing you higher latency.
3. Broadband connection type
The type of internet connection you use also impacts latency. Fibre broadband connections tend to have lower latency compared to older technologies like ADSL or satellite. Satellite internet, in particular, has high latency because the data has to travel thousands of miles to reach satellites in orbit and return.
Looking for an upgrade? Use our helpful postcode checker to see what broadband packages are available in your area.
4. Routing and server delays
When data travels across the internet, it doesn’t always take the most direct path. It passes through various routers and networks, and each stop adds a tiny delay. If the server you’re trying to connect to is overloaded or slow, it can take longer to respond, adding to your overall latency.
5. Device and software issues
Sometimes, latency is caused by problems on your device or the software you’re using. Outdated hardware, a slow processor, or too many background apps can make it harder for your device to send and receive data efficiently. If you’re trying to play Call of Duty on a potato, expect latency issues!
What’s a good latency speed?
That depends on what you’re doing! For many everyday activities, like browsing the web or streaming videos, a latency of 20 to 50 ms is considered very good, while anything under 100 ms is usually fine.
For online gaming or video calls, however, latency needs to be lower because these activities rely on real-time interaction. A latency of 20 ms or less is ideal for competitive gaming, as it allows actions to happen almost instantly.
If latency goes over 100 ms in games, you might start to experience lag, where actions feel delayed or unresponsive. Similarly, for video calls, a latency under 100 ms helps conversations flow naturally, while higher latency can cause awkward pauses.
Some activities, like live streaming or downloading files, are less sensitive to latency. In these cases, even a latency of 100 to 200 ms might not noticeably affect performance. But if latency gets over 300 ms, it can disrupt almost any online activity, making it feel slow or frustrating.
How can I test my latency speed?
If you're curious the jitter speed on your device, you can measure your broadband jitter using our helpful broadband speed test.
This will test your latency, upload and download speed, and jitter by mimicking your online activities and testing how long it takes. If the latency is lower than 50 ms, you’re good to go! If it’s above 100ms, you may want to look into ways to improve your connection.
How to reduce your latency
Switching from WiFi to a wired Ethernet connection can significantly reduce latency. WiFi signals are prone to interference from walls, other devices, and even weather conditions. A wired connection is more stable and provides a direct link between your device and the router, which helps minimise delays.
If too many devices are using your internet connection at the same time, it can cause network congestion and increase latency. To reduce this, disconnect devices you’re not using or limit high-bandwidth activities like streaming or downloading large files when you need a low-latency connection.
If you must use WiFi, being closer to your router can improve the signal strength and reduce latency. Obstacles like walls, furniture, and even other electronic devices can weaken the WiFi signal, increasing delays. It’s always best to place your router in a central location, away from walls and electronic devices that could interfere with the signal to keep your latency down.
If possible, connect to servers that are geographically closer to you. Many online games and services allow you to choose a server region and selecting one close to your location reduces the physical distance data must travel. If you use a VPN, choose a server that’s close to your location to keep your latency low.
A faster internet plan with higher bandwidth can help reduce latency, especially if your current plan is not suited for heavy usage. Take a look at our superfast fibre broadband deals to find a fibre broadband with high speeds and low latency.
If you’re serious about gaming, our gaming broadband deals will be ideal for those intense and competitive moments in online games, with minimal packet loss, ping and latency to keep your game running smoothly.
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