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What’s a good internet speed for gaming? 2025 Guide
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When it comes to online gaming, your internet speed can be the difference between winning and losing. Let’s dive into what you internet speed you need to reduce lag and keep your games running smooth
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 24 April 2025
What internet speed do I need for gaming?
The internet speed you need for gaming depends on the type of games you play and how many devices are using your connection at the same time. In general, internet with faster megabits per second (Mbps) will improve your experience, but for many games, you don’t need an extremely high Mbps to get started.
For most online gaming, a minimum internet speed of 10-20 Mbps should be enough to play games without too much trouble. This speed is suitable for simpler, less demanding games or casual gaming, but, if you're playing a game that has a lot of online players or requires quick reactions (like first-person shooters or battle royale games), you might need faster speeds to avoid lag and game freezes.
What’s considered a good speed for gaming?
If you’re an avid gamer who plays competitive multiplayer games, having an internet speed of 100-200 Mbps or higher is usually good enough. Speeds that fast should help you avoid any lag when playing online, especially if you’re playing against other people in real-time.
Apart from internet speed, you’ll also have to think about upload speed, ping and bandwidth, all of which can impact your game performance. Having the right balance of speed, low ping, and a stable connection can make a big difference in how well your games run.
You’ll also have to think about how many people use the internet at home. If there’s lots of your gaming, streaming and browsing at the same time, you may need an even faster internet connection to avoid any slowdowns.
If you want a really good internet setup for gaming, try to get a package with at least 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds. This will give you plenty of bandwidth to play games while others in your home use the internet, too.
Not sure what speed you’ve got? Use our helpful broadband speed test to check whether your broadband speed is fast enough.
Things to consider when choosing broadband for gaming
When it comes to choosing a broadband package for gaming, it's not just internet speed that can affect your gaming experience.
Here are some factors you should consider when it comes to choosing the right broadband for gaming:
Latency, also referred to as gaming ping, is how quickly your device communicates with the game server. Low latency means your actions happen in the game without delay. This is really important for fast-paced games like shooters or racing games. A ping under 50 milliseconds (ms) is good, and under 20 ms is ideal. Fiber broadband usually has the lowest latency, making it great for gaming.
Upload speed matters more than people think when it comes to gaming. It’s how fast your internet sends data, which is important when playing multiplayer games or using voice chat, and if you stream your gameplay or send game updates. You should aim for at least 3–5 Mbps upload speed for a good gaming experience.
Different types of broadband offer different levels of performance. Fibre broadband is the best choice for gaming since it’sit’s fast, stable, and has low ping. Part fibre and FTTC broadband is also good, but it can slow down during peak times, while ADSL is even slower and is not ideal for serious gaming.
Even with fast speeds, a bad connection can ruin your game. If you're broadband connection is unstable, you're more likely to experience disconnections, lag spikes, or drops in speed that can all ruin your experience - even with a fast connection.
If several people in your home are using the internet at the same time for streaming, video calls, or gaming you’ll need an even faster broadband speed than usual A superfast fibre broadband package with higher speeds will help make sure your gaming isn’t affected when others are online too.
What’s the best broadband for gaming?
The best broadband for gaming is one that provides fast speeds, low latency, and a reliable connection. Fibre broadband is generally considered the best choice for gaming for this reason, providing very high speeds and extremely low latency, which is essential for online gaming.
With fibre, you’ll experience faster download and upload speeds, making it easier to play online games without lag or interruptions. It also tends to be more stable than other types of broadband, meaning you’re less likely to experience connection drops or slowdowns.
Not sure what broadband to get? We’ve got a range of gaming broadband deals powered by our superfast fibre network to help you get the split-second speeds you’re looking for when you’re gaming online.
How to improve your internet speed for gaming
Improving your internet speed for gaming doesn’t always mean upgrading your broadband plan. There are a few simple things you can do at home to make your connection faster and more stable, which can help reduce lag and make your games run more smoothly.
1. Restart Your Router
Over time, routers and modems can slow down due to extended use. If your internet has been slow or unstable, a simple restart can often fix lag and fix any temporary issues with your connection. To do this:
Turn off your router and modem,
Unplug them for 10–30 seconds, then turn them back on.
Restart your gaming device after rebooting the router for the best results.
Some routers allow you to schedule automatic reboots, which can help maintain a stable connection. If restarting does not help, the issue may be down to the speed of your broadband. Use our speed checker to see if your broadband is fast enough.
2. Switch to an ethernet Connection
One of the best ways to improve your gaming internet speed is to use a wired Ethernet cable instead of WiFi. A wired connection is usually faster and more stable, with lower ping and less chance of signal drops. If your router is close enough to your gaming device (like a PC or console), plug it in directly with a cable for the best results.
3. Move Closer to the Router
If you have to use WiFi, try moving your gaming device closer to your router. Walls, furniture, and other electronics can weaken the signal. The closer you are, the stronger your connection will be. You can also try to raise the router up high or place it in the center of your home for better coverage.
4. Connect to the Nearest Game Server
Online games connect to servers that process player actions. If you are playing on a server far from your location, the games data has to travel further to reach you and get back to the server, increasing ping and causing lag. Many games allow players to choose a server region, so select the server that’s closest to you will reduce delay and make the game feel more responsive.
5. Check for Background Apps
On your gaming device, close any apps or programs running in the background that might be using the internet. Things like game downloads, cloud backups, or streaming apps can slow down your connection without you noticing, even if they’re on a different device to the one you’re playing on.
6. Use Game Mode or Performance Settings
Most gaming devices have special settings to improve performance. On Windows, enabling “Game Mode” helps by reducing background activity. On consoles, some games offer Performance Mode to run at a higher frame rate with lower graphics if you’re on an older console.
Is it time to upgrade your broadband?
If you love playing online games – either on your own or with friends – you’ll want your broadband to be fast enough for gaming. So, if your internet speed isn’t good enough and is causing you issues, it may be time for an upgrade.
Check out all of our gaming broadband deals and find a broadband package that’s fast enough for all your gaming needs.
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