If you’ve ever searched for information on internet speeds and were left confused by numbers and acronyms, you are not alone. This updated 2025 guide ties recommendations to official benchmarks and app requirements: the FCC raised the fixed‑broadband benchmark to 100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up in 2024 (FCC), and roughly 28–30% of paid workdays in the U.S. are now done from home (WFH Research), which increases simultaneous use and the need for reliable upload. Below, we explain what internet speed means and how to size a plan based on what your household does at the same time—with evidence‑based numbers and practical headroom.
What do internet speeds mean?
Internet speed is defined as the rate at which data moves between your device and the internet. Plans are typically advertised in Mbps, which stands megabits per second; file sizes are shown in MB (megabytes), and 8 bits equal 1 byte. ISPs list both download and upload in Mbps. If an app shows MB/s (megabytes per second), multiply by 8 to compare to your plan’s Mbps. For context, the FCC now evaluates fixed broadband at 100/20 Mbps as the current benchmark (FCC 2024 benchmark).
If you’re shopping for internet service, size your plan by summing what happens at the same time (concurrency) and then add 20–30% headroom for background updates and Wi‑Fi variability. Current platform guidance: Netflix recommends ~5 Mbps for HD and 15 Mbps for 4K per stream (Netflix); YouTube suggests ~5 Mbps for 1080p and ~20 Mbps for 4K (YouTube); Zoom lists roughly ~1.2 Mbps for 720p HD and about 3–4 Mbps for 1080p per direction (Zoom); Microsoft Teams typically uses about 1.5–4 Mbps per HD participant (Teams). Cloud gaming services such as GeForce NOW call for ~25 Mbps for 1080p/60 and around 45 Mbps for 4K/60 per player (GeForce NOW).
Now, let’s talk about the types of internet speed you’ll need for different activities. Given that about 28–30% of paid workdays are done from home (WFH Research), many homes must support multiple HD calls plus streaming and downloads during the day. Plan for both downstream and upstream capacity so video calls remain stable while other devices keep streaming and syncing.
What is a good internet speed?
“Good” depends on what your household does concurrently, but today’s practical floor is higher than a few years ago. The FCC now uses 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up as the fixed‑broadband benchmark (FCC). For most multi‑user homes with 4K streaming and hybrid work, 300–500 Mbps down with 20–50 Mbps up is a strong starting point; families with heavier concurrency, cloud gaming, or creator‑grade uploads benefit from 500–1000 Mbps (gigabit‑class) and, where available, symmetric service. The more simultaneous streams, calls, and updates, the higher the internet speed you’ll need—and the more you should prioritize upload for remote work and content creation.
Internet activities and their speed needs
If you plan to use the internet for:
- Sending and receiving emails
- Downloading documents, e-books, and other small files
- General web browsing
You are a basic internet user and will be well served by roughly 100–200 Mbps download with 10–20 Mbps upload. This covers multiple HD streams (~5 Mbps each via Netflix/YouTube) and occasional HD video calls (~1.5–4 Mbps per participant per direction via Zoom/Teams), while meeting the FCC’s 100/20 benchmark.
If you plan to use the internet for:
- Downloading audio files
- Streaming Standard Definition videos
- Connecting 2-3 devices at a time
You are a medium internet user and will likely need around 300–500 Mbps download and 20–50 Mbps upload. That range comfortably supports a couple of 4K streams (15–20 Mbps each per Netflix/YouTube) plus an HD video meeting and background updates, with 20–30% headroom for stability.
If you plan to use the internet for:
- Streaming shows or movies
- Downloading multiple music files
- Gaming
- Connecting more than two to three devices at a time
You are a heavy internet user and will benefit from 500–1000 Mbps (gigabit‑class) download and 50–100+ Mbps upload; power users and creators should consider symmetric 1 Gbps where available. Cloud gaming alone can require ~25 Mbps (1080p/60) to ~45 Mbps (4K/60) per player (GeForce NOW), which stacks quickly alongside multiple 4K streams and HD calls (Zoom, Teams).
What are the different connection types?
The type of connection you have to the internet plays a large role in determining your internet speeds. Today’s options include fiber (often symmetric and multi‑gig), cable (DOCSIS), 5G fixed wireless access (FWA), satellite (including low‑Earth‑orbit services), DSL in some areas, and mobile hotspots. The access landscape is evolving: 5G‑Advanced features defined in 3GPP Release 18 began commercialization in 2024 and expand through 2025–2027 (3GPP R18); FWA has become a major growth engine for home broadband (Ericsson Mobility Report 2025); and cable operators are rolling out DOCSIS 4.0 roadmaps toward higher uploads and symmetric multi‑gig service. LEO satellite (e.g., Starlink) has scaled rapidly, surpassing 3 million subscribers globally by late 2024 (Starlink). Wi‑Fi 7 is entering mainstream routers and clients, improving in‑home wireless capacity (Wi‑Fi Alliance).
On average, fiber-optic connection is faster than broadband, though both of these options are known for higher internet speeds than others. However, depending on your usage, as discussed above, other options may be more than enough for your needs.
It is also important to keep in mind that your internet speeds will vary depending on whether or not you are using a wired (ethernet) connection or a wireless connection. Because a wired connection uses a cable for internet connectivity, the speeds are often faster than when a wireless connection has to be established.
In summary, don’t be sold on purchasing the highest speed internet at the highest price without first assessing your internet usage needs. It is possible you can spend less and get speeds that are more than sufficient for your needs. Without assessing your needs and understanding the speeds needed for your activities, you could end up either paying too much for speeds you don’t need or not getting high enough speeds for your needs. You can do a quick search of internet speeds available in your area and then review internet service providers before making your choice. We hope this guide has helped you to determine your most desireable internet speeds.
