How to test your broadband speed in three simple steps

Broadband speed tests are quick, at-home checks to measure how fast your internet connection is. They can be done from any room in your home and take just a few seconds to complete, all through a simple online test that gives you your results in seconds.

Broadband speed tests help you to see how fast and responsive your internet is, and whether any improvements need to be made to make your connection faster.

By running regular broadband speed tests, you can identify any potential drops in performance before they become more of a hassle. They're also a great way to keep an eye on any weak WiFi zones in your home, any drops in performance at different times of day, lag when you’re gaming, or lot of buffering when streaming films and tv shows.

Running an internet speed test is a piece of cake! It takes a few clicks to complete and can be done from any device you like.

Here's what you need to do in 3 easy steps:

1. Head over to the broadband speed test

Our broadband speed test lets you check your internet connection in real time. Navigate to the page to get started.

2. Click the 'test your speed' button

When you're ready, click or tap on the ‘Test Your Speed’ button.

3. Get your results in seconds

You'll be shown the download, upload and latency speeds from your device. Got a Virgin Media Hub at home? Then you'll get the results from your device and direct from your Hub, plus your device's packet loss and jitter. More about those later!

Before you start the test, be sure any VPNs you’re using are switched off to get an accurate reading of what speed you've got. It's also worth closing any background apps or downloads running on your device. That way, your results will show the speed you'll usually have when you're doing your day-to-day online activities.

Ready to test your speed? Head over to our broadband speed test and get your download, upload, and latency speeds instantly.

That depends on whether you're with us! No matter who you're with, you can use our broadband speed test to check the download speed, upload speed, and latency on your device. But if you've got a Virgin Media Hub at home, our test will also measure your jitter and packet loss, and the results will be taken both from your device and directly from your Hub.

Here's a breakdown of everything the broadband speed test shows you:

Download speed

This is the measure of how fast something travels to your device from the internet. Measured in megabits per second (Mbps), the higher the Mbps number, the faster and smoother your internet experience will be. Download speed is important for streaming films and tv, downloading files and browsing the web.

Upload speed

The opposite of download speed, this is the measure of how long it takes to send things to the internet from your device. This is also measured using Mbps, and you want a high number here as well. Fast upload speeds are crucial for taking video calls for leisure or business, gaming online or posting on social media.

Latency

Measured in milliseconds (ms), latency is the measure of how fast information travels from your device to the internet and then back again. Lower latency means you get a response quickly from your interaction online.

If you've got Virgin Media at home

Jitter

Jitter measures how much your latency bounces around, which is also measured in ms. Lower ms means your internet connection remains smooth and stable. Less jitter means smoother gaming experiences, clear video calls and minimal buffering while streaming.  You’ll only get your jitter on our test if you’re with us and have got a Virgin Media Hub at home.

Packet Loss

Packets are chunks of data, and packet loss is when these chunks of data don’t make it to your device. You want as low a number as possible; zero is also preferred. High packet loss can result in an unreliable internet connection, which could cause glitching while gaming and freezing on video calls. You’ll only get packet loss on our test if you’re with us and have got a Virgin Media Hub at home.

Most broadband speed tests only check the connection between your device and the internet. That means results can be affected by your WiFi signal, device performance, or background apps. 

If you’ve got a Virgin Media Hub at home, our speed test can also check the connection directly to your Hub. This helps show whether slower speeds are being caused by your broadband connection or by things inside your home, like WiFi coverage or router placement. 

If you’re with us, you can also get extra details like jitter and packet loss, giving you a clearer view of performance for gaming, streaming and video calls.

A good broadband speed depends on how you use the internet and how many people are connected at home. For everyday browsing, streaming and video calls, speeds around 100Mbps are usually more than enough for most households. 

If you’ve got lots of connected devices, regularly stream in 4K, game online, or work from home, faster speeds can help keep everything running smoothly,  especially during busy times of day. 

Not sure what speed is right for your home? Find out what broadband speed you need for gaming, streaming or working from home.

If your broadband feels slower than usual, don’t worry – there are a few easy things you can do to give it a boost. Sometimes, slow speeds aren’t caused by your internet provider at all, but by things inside your home, like where your Hub is placed, how many devices are connected, or even whether your router just needs a quick restart.

Here are some quick tips worth giving a go:

1. Move your router to an open, central spot in your home

2. Restart your router to clear any temporary glitches

3. Use an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection and avoid interference

4. Use a WiFi Booster if you've got a weak signal in some rooms

5. Pause large downloads and check for background apps and devices, as they all compete for bandwidth

Looking for more ways to boost your broadband connection? Read our guide on how to improve your internet speed in 10 easy steps.

Still getting slow speeds on your speed test? It might be time to upgrade to a faster broadband package to get those ultrafast speeds you're after.

At Virgin Media, we’ve got a range of superfast and ultrafast broadband deals with speeds to suit every home – from 100 Mbps to 1Gbps and beyond, so there's something for every household.

Not sure what you can get? Use our helpful broadband postcode checker to see all of the broadband deals that are available in your area.