What is network latency?

Network latency is the time it takes for your interaction with the internet to transmit, process, and relay a response back to you. Measured in milliseconds, network latency is most impacted by your internet connection type. Your distance to the server, network congestion, routing efficiency, and server processing times also play a role.

A good network latency would be less than 100 milliseconds (ms), but for gaming and video calls, under 50 ms is best.

Think of internet network latency as how quickly your requests can navigate the route and traffic on the way to whatever server it’s trying to reach. As you might expect, a quick trip makes for a better, faster internet experience.

As you shop for internet plans or compare DSL, (coaxial), fiber, and other options, keep network latency in mind. Here’s what to know to make an informed decision.

How is network latency measured?

From the moment you initiate a request on your connected device, the latency stopwatch begins. That request might involve clicking a button, sending an email, downloading a picture, or playing a song. The clock doesn’t stop until your request has been fulfilled — i.e., the next page loads, your file downloads, or your video plays.

This whole journey is called the round-trip time (RTT), and as noted earlier, it’s measured in milliseconds (ms). A millisecond is one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a second (s). So, a 50 ms latency is .05 seconds. That might seem like a pretty small figure but think of how quickly you expect your online experiences to react.

For perspective, blink your eyes. The blink of an eye typically takes between 100 and 150 ms, or 0.1 to 0.15 seconds. This means that if your network latency is around 100 ms, it’s as fast as it takes you to blink.

To measure the latency of your internet connection, a ping command sends small packets of data and calculates the response time. It can also be measured by time to first byte (TTFB), which tracks the time it takes to receive the very first bit of data in the packet.

It’s important to compare latency to internet speed. Latency is a measure of the delay between sending a request and getting a response back, while speed refers to how quickly data moves in either direction (download/upload). Latency is how quickly it gets ready and off the line, while speed is how fast it travels over a distance.

What is a good network latency?

Landing on a single figure of “good” network latency is tricky because:

• Every user’s needs vary.

• Technology improves every day.

• It can be impacted by multiple factors at any given time.

However, a safe yet modern definition of good network latency would be anything at or under 50 ms. For most of today’s online activities, that gives you the responsiveness to avoid lag, choppiness, or poor-quality video.

If your connection gets below 20 ms, you’re in a fortunate crowd and likely won’t experience latency-related issues as you browse, work, stream, play, and connect smart home devices. Businesses that rely on rapid responses for critical operations might target 10 ms or below, but households might not see a noticeable difference there.

The bottom line is that lower is better. If your latency reaches triple digits (more than 100 ms), you might want to start shopping for a new connection type, plan speed, Wi-Fi setup, or computer.

Latency varies by internet connection type, with expected typical ranges of:

• Fiber: 5 – 25 ms

• Cable: 20 – 50 ms

• DSL: 50 – 100 ms

• Satellite: 500+ ms (it’s traveling to space, after all)

• Mobile (4G/5G): 10 – 100 ms

• Dial-up: 100 – 300 ms

• ISDN: 30 – 100 ms

Why is fiber so quick and has low latency? Because light travels nearly as fast in fiber’s clear glass strands than electricity does in copper coaxial wires or through cellular or satellite waves.

Causes of Network Latency

From your tech to someone else’s tech, plenty of factors can impact network latency. These include even environmental factors. Some are out of your control, unfortunately. But you may be able to address some to achieve a better experience.

Bandwidth Limitations

As we send more and bigger packets of data to power richer, more complex online experiences, we need more bandwidth — room on the internet road for this wide load to speed through. If there’s a squeeze, there’s a delay: latency.

As more devices log on to your home internet connection, they clog the path. They have to wait their turn, so latency increases. Activities like online gaming, live streaming, and streaming ultra-HD films can have an outsized impact here.

Server Distance

The farther data has to travel, the higher the latency of that internet connection. Distance is a significant factor in older technology like cable and DSL or ultra-long-distance tech like satellite internet. Hence, those services have high latency, especially in rural spots.

Accessing servers on the other side of the globe can also be a high-latency experience, even if your personal internet connection is optimized for high speeds.

Congested Networks

As mentioned, having too many devices sharing your connection will clog up the path and cause a slowdown for every user. Shared connections like cable are most susceptible, but you might also notice this in crowded cafes with shared Wi-Fi.

Ever been stuck in a store parking lot on a holiday weekend trying to load your GPS? How about trying to open social media at a music festival or sporting event? It won't (or will be slow to) load because there are so many people in one spot, hogging up the bandwidth.

Outdated Routers, Modems, or Devices

Older devices might reach their operating limits as technology advances. This is especially the case with a fiber connection, which already requires the upgrade to an optical network terminal (ONT). You may need to adjust your tech to suit 1 Gbps+ speeds without high latency.

DNS Server Issues

A DNS server is a technical protocol that matches the URL you type in to that website’s unique Internet Protocol (IP) address, which is a string of numbers. Pinging that server should only take a millisecond, but if it’s buggy, it will have an immediate impact on latency.

You can switch to a faster DNS, but this is a more advanced technical aspect, so it’s typically best not to touch it without guidance.

Heavy Website Traffic and Poor Optimization

Ever tried to buy tickets for a super-popular concert? As everyone floods the ticketing website, latency skyrockets for everyone trying to get their seats. Sometimes, latency isn’t caused by your network but by the website or service you’re trying to access. The same can happen on busy game servers, holiday shopping promotions, or highly anticipated streaming debuts.

Poorly optimized websites (with especially large images, for instance) can also mess up latency.

Environmental Interference

Did you know the electrical wires in your walls can cause electromagnetic interference (EMF) with your Wi-Fi signal and incoming internet connection? Appliances like microwaves and fridges can, too. While this is usually minimal, the wrong placement might impact latency.

Thick walls can also block internet signals. And bad weather can cause noticeable slowdowns, too.

Malware or Viruses

Malware is a specific batch of computer code designed to harm another computer. Malicious software — malware — that is designed to automatically duplicate and spread to infect even more machines is a virus.

They can come from numerous sources, which is why you should prioritize internet security in your decision-making. They also clog up or throw bugs in the path of your internet data packets, increasing latency.

6 Ways to Reduce Network Latency

These practical actions can noticeably improve your internet experience by reducing delays and speeding up your connection.

1. Purchase more bandwidth.

Upgrading your internet plan to one with higher bandwidth can help reduce latency, especially if you have multiple devices connected to the network. Fiber internet is the best option for minimizing latency because it delivers symmetrical, high-speed uploads and downloads with extremely low delays.

2. Switch to Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi is convenient but prone to interference and slower speeds, especially in busy households or environments. Plugging an Ethernet cable directly into your modem or router can significantly reduce latency because wired connections are more stable. Plus, they’re less vulnerable to physical barriers or other signal-emitting devices.

3. Ensure your equipment is up to date.

As mentioned, outdated devices might be unable to handle the speeds of today’s internet. Upgrading the physical devices, the software they run, and the firmware on your router can improve your internet experience. New hardware is designed to support low-latency connections.

4. Check for viruses and malware.

Your internet service provider (ISP) likely offers internet security tools and virus-scanning capabilities, so check with them first if you experience problems. You should run these checks regularly to avoid virus issues stacking up or causing harm before you notice.

5. Clear your cache.

A cache in Safari, Chrome, or other internet browser saves your passwords, pages, and other data to improve and track your online journeys. As the cache grows, it can add friction to the path of your internet and cause higher latency. That’s why you should clear your cache regularly.

6. Limit applications running in the background.

Similarly, if you have too many tabs open or other applications accessing the internet on your laptop or other device, they’ll eventually clog up the connection. Close tabs, shut down background apps, and run backups when not browsing or working.

Get internet with low latency.

Lower latency, from 10 to 50 ms, means a better, more responsive internet experience. The more you do online and the quicker your interactions need to be, the lower your latency target.

Switching to a high-speed internet plan from a leading ISP like Kinetic is the best way to lock in low-latency internet with nearly no fluctuation (jitter).

Kinetic Fiber Internet provides a consistently reliable connection with ultra-low lag for real-time applications like streaming video, online gaming, and video conferencing.

What is network latency? FAQs

What is the difference between latency and bandwidth?

Latency measures the delay in transmitting and receiving a request and response online. Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transferred over a connection in a given time.

How can network latency be reduced?

One of the more noticeable ways to improve internet network latency is to switch to a better connection type, like going from DSL, satellite, or cable to fiber. For smaller but still worthwhile improvements to network latency, you can also reposition your Wi-Fi router for the best in-home signal. Disconnecting unused devices, plugging in an ethernet cable, and upgrading your hardware and software can also reduce latency.

What is good network latency?

Good network latency for most online activities is typically under 50 milliseconds (ms). However, 20 ms or lower is ideal for the best performance for online gaming, live events, or real-time tasks. At the slowest end, anything more than 100 ms can be frustrating.