While download speed gets all the attention, two other metrics—ping and jitter—are the true kings of real-time internet performance. Understanding the difference is key to diagnosing why your game is lagging or your video call is choppy.
What is Ping (Latency)?
Ping, also known as latency, is the time it takes for a small packet of data to travel from your device to a server on the internet and back again. It's measured in milliseconds (ms).
- Low Ping (Good): Under 50ms is excellent. Your actions in a game feel instant, and conversations in a video call feel natural.
- High Ping (Bad): Over 150ms is poor. You'll experience noticeable lag, where your actions are delayed, making online games unplayable.
Think of ping as the reaction time of your connection. A lower number is always better.
What is Jitter?
Jitter is the variation in your ping over time. It measures the stability and consistency of your connection. If your ping is constantly fluctuating, you have high jitter.
Imagine your data packets are cars on a highway. If they all arrive with even spacing, your jitter is low. If they arrive in chaotic, unpredictable bunches, your jitter is high.
- Low Jitter (Good): Under 20ms is great. This means your connection is stable, which is perfect for streaming video and audio without interruptions.
- High Jitter (Bad): Over 30ms can cause problems. In a video call, it can lead to choppy audio or frozen frames. In a game, it causes "stuttering" or "warping" even if your ping is low.
Which is More Important?
It depends on the activity:
- For online gaming, a low and stable ping is the most critical factor.
- For video streaming and voice calls (VoIP), low jitter is arguably more important to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted experience.
A good connection needs both. Our speed test measures both metrics to give you a complete picture of your connection's quality for real-time applications.