How do I test my internet speed?

Click the 'Start Test' button above. The test measures your download speed, upload speed, and ping (latency). For the most accurate results, connect via ethernet cable, close other applications, and ensure no other devices are using your connection during the test. Run multiple tests at different times for the most accurate picture.

Why is my broadband slower than advertised?

ISPs advertise 'up to' speeds which represent maximum possible performance. Actual speeds depend on factors like: distance from the exchange (for DSL), network congestion during peak times, WiFi interference from walls and other devices, your router's age and quality, and the number of devices connected. If you're consistently getting less than 80% of your advertised speed, contact your provider.

What is ping and why does it matter?

Ping (latency) measures how quickly your connection responds, in milliseconds. Lower ping is better. Under 20ms is excellent for competitive gaming, 20-50ms is good for video calls and casual gaming, and under 100ms is acceptable for general use. High ping causes lag in video calls, delays in online gaming, and slow-loading websites. Fibre connections typically have the lowest ping.

How can I improve my broadband speed?

Try these tips: 1) Move your router to a central location away from walls and metal objects, 2) Use ethernet cables for devices that need stable connections, 3) Update your router firmware regularly, 4) Use the 5GHz WiFi band instead of 2.4GHz for faster speeds, 5) Check for background downloads or streaming on other devices, 6) Consider a mesh WiFi system for larger homes, 7) If speeds are consistently poor, consider upgrading to fibre broadband.

What's the difference between download and upload speed?

Download speed is how fast you can receive data from the internet - important for streaming, browsing, and downloading files. Upload speed is how fast you can send data - important for video calls, uploading photos/videos, cloud backups, and working from home. Most home connections have faster download than upload speeds. If you work from home with lots of video calls, upload speed matters more.

Is fibre broadband worth it?

Fibre broadband offers significant advantages: faster speeds (up to 5Gbps vs ~70Mbps for DSL), lower latency for gaming and video calls, more reliable connection, and symmetric upload/download speeds with FTTH (Fibre to the Home). For households with multiple users, 4K streaming, gaming, or remote work, fibre is highly recommended. Prices have dropped significantly and fibre is often the same price as slower DSL connections.

How often should I run a speed test?

We recommend testing your speed: when you first get a new broadband connection (to verify advertised speeds), if you notice streaming or gaming issues, during different times of day to check for peak-time slowdowns, after changing router settings or position, and monthly as a general check. Keep a record of your tests to identify patterns or degradation over time.

Home/Broadband/Speed test

Broadband speed test Ireland

Test your internet speed in seconds. Free, accurate, no ads.

Works on all devices: desktop, mobile, tablet. Last updated 8 July 2026.

Mbps

Ready to test

01000

Tip: For best results, close other tabs and apps using the internet.

Find faster broadband in Ireland

Compare all Irish broadband providers in one place. We show year 1 and year 2 prices so you know exactly what you'll pay.

8 providers comparedNo sponsored rankingsUpdated daily

Compare broadband deals

Free to use · No signup required · Independent comparisons

Understanding your speed test results

📥 Download speed

How fast you can pull data from the internet. Important for streaming, downloading files, and loading websites. Measured in Mbps.

📤 Upload speed

How fast you can send data to the internet. Important for video calls, uploading photos and cloud backups. Usually lower than download.

🏓 Ping (latency)

How quickly your connection responds, in milliseconds. Lower is better. Under 50ms is good for gaming and video calls.

📊 Jitter

How much your ping varies over time. High jitter causes choppy video calls and laggy gaming. Under 30ms is good.

What is a good broadband speed in Ireland?

Usage type	Recommended speed	Best for
Basic browsing	25-50 Mbps	Email, social media, web browsing
HD streaming	50-100 Mbps	Netflix HD, video calls, light gaming
4K streaming	100-300 Mbps	4K video, multiple users, gaming
Heavy usage	300-500 Mbps	Large household, WFH, competitive gaming
Power user	500+ Mbps	Content creators, multiple 4K streams

Not sure how much speed your household needs? Read our broadband speed guide first. Most people pay for more than they use.

What is the average broadband speed in Ireland?

The median fixed broadband download speed in Ireland is around 220 Mbps (Ookla Speedtest Global Index, March 2026). Median mobile download speed is around 79 Mbps. Speeds have risen sharply as full-fibre connections from the SIRO, Open Eir and National Broadband Ireland networks replace older copper lines.

If your result above is well below 220 Mbps, that doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. What matters is how your speed compares to the plan you're paying for. Consistently getting less than 80% of your advertised speed is worth investigating, and if your area has fibre available you may get a much faster connection for the same monthly price by comparing broadband deals.

220 Mbps

Median download speed

Fixed broadband in Ireland, March 2026

79 Mbps

Median mobile speed

Mobile connections in Ireland, March 2026

5 Gbps

Fastest home plans

Full-fibre (FTTH) plans now sold in Ireland

Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index, March 2026

Test your provider's speed

Compare your result against what your provider advertises. Each page covers the network, typical speeds and provider-specific tips.

Eir speed test Vodafone speed test Virgin Media speed test Sky speed test Three speed test Pure Telecom speed test Digiweb speed test Imagine speed test

How our speed test works

🏓

1. Ping & jitter

We send a series of small requests to the nearest Cloudflare server (Dublin for most Irish connections) and measure how quickly your connection responds and how much that varies.

📥

2. Download & upload

Your browser downloads and uploads test files of increasing size and we measure the sustained transfer rate, not just the burst speed.

🔒

3. Private by design

The test runs entirely in your browser. No registration, no ads, and your results are stored only on your own device.

How to improve your broadband speed

📍

Router placement

Place your router in a central location, away from walls and interference. Elevate it off the floor for better coverage.

🔌

Wired vs WiFi

Use ethernet cables for devices that need stable connections. WiFi is convenient, but wired is faster and more reliable.

🔄

When to switch

If you're consistently getting less than 80% of your advertised speed, it might be time to compare other providers.

Still slow after trying these? Work through our step-by-step slow broadband fix guide.

Frequently asked questions

A good broadband speed in Ireland depends on your household needs. For general browsing and HD streaming, 50-100 Mbps is sufficient. For 4K streaming, gaming, and multiple users, 150-500 Mbps is recommended. For heavy users and large households, 500+ Mbps fibre connections are ideal. The median fixed broadband speed in Ireland is around 220 Mbps (Ookla, March 2026).