What is upload speed and how much do you need?

Upload speed is how fast you can send data from your device to the internet. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps), with a higher upload speed meaning that files, photos, and videos upload faster and online activities like video calling and live streaming run smoothly. 

A high upload speed is important for tasks that require sending large amounts of data, such as backing up files to cloud storage or sharing high-quality videos.  If your upload speed is too slow, you’re more likely to experience lag in video calls, delays in sending emails with large attachments, or problems when you’re live streaming.  

Upload speeds can vary drastically depending on your broadband package, so it’s important to check that you have enough for everything you do online. Still, most home broadband plans have lower upload speeds compared to download speeds because people generally consume more content than they create. 

Lots of things can affect upload speed, from the type of broadband you've got to how many devices you've got using the internet at home.

Here are some of the biggest factors you'll need to consider when it comes to uploading:

A good upload speed depends on what you do online. For most activities like making video calls, playing online games, and uploading videos to social media, 5 to 10 Mbps is usually enough. But if you work from home or regularly upload large files, an upload speed of at least 25 Mbps is around the ballpark of what you’ll need to avoid any issues.  

You might need even more if multiple people in your home use the internet for uploading at the same time. The best way to find out if your upload speed is enough is to run an internet speed test and compare it to the needs of your daily activities.  

If you experience slow uploads, lag in video calls, or buffering while streaming, you might need to upgrade your broadband package. Take a look at all of our superfast fibre broadband deals to see which package works for you.  

If you're curious the upload speed on your device, you can measure your speed using our helpful  broadband speed test.  

Our tool can test your upload speed along with download speed, latency and jitter by mimicking your online activities and testing how long it takes. If the upload speed is lower than 50-100ms, you may want to look into ways to improve your connection.  

Most internet providers give you a much faster download speed than upload speed because most people use the internet more for downloading. When you watch videos, browse websites, or stream music, you are downloading data from the internet to your device. Uploading, like sending files or making video calls, is used less often, so providers design their networks to focus on downloads. 

Another reason is the type of internet connection you have. Cable and ADSL internet services are designed to provide much higher download speeds because they share bandwidth among many users.  

If you want symmetrical download and upload speeds, you'll want to look at full fibre broadband, which can have the same upload and download speed and can handle large amounts of data moving in both directions at the same time. 

Still not sure? Learn more about download speed vs upload speed.

While you need more download than upload, upload speed still matters just as much if you work from home or like to livestream, and there are several ways you can make yours faster.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Use a Wired Connection

WiFi is super convenient, but it’s also less reliable. Walls, furniture, and even other electronic devices can interfere with the signal. This interference doesn’t just slow your downloads — it can also affect your upload speed. Plugging your device directly into your router with an Ethernet cable removes those barriers, giving you a stronger, more stable, and often much faster connection.

Pro tip: If you’re still using an older Cat 5 cable, it may be worth upgrading to Cat 6 or Cat 7 to get even better performance. These newer cables support much higher speeds and reduce the chances of interference slowing down your uploads.

2. Improve your WiFi setup

If you do need to use WiFi, there are several ways to optimize your setup for better upload speeds. Start by placing your router in a central, open area away from obstacles like thick walls or large metal objects. If your router is in a corner, behind furniture, or in a closed space, the signal can be blocked, so moving it a more central area of your space can help improve the strength of the Wi-Fi signal, leading to faster uploads.  

Pro tip: WiFi boosters or mesh WiFi systems can be a great way to boost your connection if your home is large or has thick walls. These devices spread the WiFi signal evenly across your home, so you get a strong connection and the best upload speeds you can get no matter where you are.  

3. Limit Other Devices using the WiFi

Your internet connection is shared across all the devices in your home. If someone’s streaming in 4K, another person’s gaming, and someone else is downloading a big file, your upload will have less room to breathe. This can make file transfers slower or cause video calls to lag. By disconnecting devices you don’t need, or asking family members to pause heavy usage while you upload, you free up bandwidth for your own connection.

Pro tip: Some routers have a feature called “Quality of Service” (QoS). It lets you prioritise one device – like your laptop or console – so that it always gets the speed it needs, even when other people are online.

4. Close Background Apps

Many apps run in the background without you noticing. Cloud backups like Google Drive or OneDrive can silently sync files while you’re trying to upload, while streaming services, online games, or software updates compete for your bandwidth. Closing these apps before starting your upload makes sure your connection is dedicated to the task at hand.

Pro tip: On Windows, open Task Manager, and on Mac, use Activity Monitor to check what’s using up your connection. End tasks that aren’t essential, especially those using a lot of network data.

5. Keep your router updated and upgrade if needed

Your router is the heart of your home network. If it’s outdated or running old firmware, it might not be able to keep up with modern internet speeds, including uploads. Updating the software (firmware) ensures it has the latest performance improvements and security fixes. And if your router is more than a few years old, upgrading to a newer model can make a noticeable difference in both upload and download speeds.

All of our broadband deals come with our superfast Hub 4 or Hub 5 routers depending on the package you choose. Check out all of our broadband deals to see what you can get. 

Pro tip: If you’ve got Virgin Media broadband at home and currently have a Hub 3 or older model (including the Superhub 1A, 2A etc.) you’re eligible for a Hub upgrade if you order or upgrade to one of our gigabit broadband deals.

Learn more about our hubs.

The easiest way to improve your upload speed is to upgrade your broadband package. Broadband packages are limited to a specific speed you agree on with your provider, meaning you'll only get the maximum upload speed your plan is capped at.

At Virgin Media, we’ve got a range of superfast and ultrafast broadband deals with upload speeds to suit every home – from 10 Mbps to 1 gbps and beyond with our full fibe gigabit broadband deals.

Ready to ramp up your speed? Choose from our ultrafast broadband deals, or go all in with our best broadband for gaming to cut the lag and get that silky smooth gameplay you deserve.

Just enter your postcode to see what you can get where you are.