For years, internet marketing has focused on one thing: download speed. But in our increasingly interactive world, upload speed—how fast you can send data from your device to the internet—is just as critical.

When is Upload Speed Important?

Any activity that involves sending data from your computer requires good upload bandwidth. This includes:

  • Video Conferencing (Zoom, Teams, etc.): You are constantly uploading a high-quality video stream of yourself. A slow upload speed will cause your video to freeze or look pixelated to others.
  • Online Gaming: Every move you make, every action you take, is a small piece of data that has to be uploaded to the game server instantly. Slow uploads lead to lag.
  • Uploading Files: Sending large attachments via email, backing up photos to the cloud, or uploading a video to YouTube are all dependent on your upload speed.
  • Live Streaming: If you stream on Twitch or YouTube, your upload speed is the single most important factor determining the quality of your broadcast.

Why is Upload Speed Often So Much Slower?

Most common internet connections, like Cable and DSL, are asymmetrical. This means they are designed to provide much faster download speeds than upload speeds. The reasoning was that the average user consumes far more data (downloading websites, streaming video) than they create (sending emails).

However, as work-from-home and content creation have become more common, this model is showing its age. Symmetrical connections, like those offered by fiber optic internet, provide the same speed for both downloads and uploads (e.g., 1000 Mbps down / 1000 Mbps up) and are far better suited for modern internet use.

What is a Good Upload Speed?

For 2025, here are some general guidelines:

  • 5-10 Mbps: Sufficient for good quality 1080p video calls and most online gaming.
  • 10-20 Mbps: Excellent for content creators, people who frequently upload large files, or households with multiple people working from home.
  • 20+ Mbps: Ideal for professional live streamers or anyone who needs to upload massive files quickly and reliably.

Check your upload speed with our test to see if your connection is keeping up with your needs.