CenturyLink speed test

Internet Speed Tester

Press Start. After the test you get a network quality score and what your speed is good for.

Download

0.0 Mbps

Upload

0.0 Mbps

Ping

0.0 ms

Jitter

0.0 ms

Your last results

How this test measures

The test runs against the nearest Cloudflare data center, shown above as the server. Results describe the path between you and that server, which can differ from the path to a particular website, game or call server.

Ping is the median round-trip time of 60 small requests, and jitter is the average difference between consecutive ones. Download and upload use files of growing size sent one after another over a single connection, and the result is the 90th percentile of the requests that ran long enough to be reliable. Speeds are in megabits per second (1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bits).

Because it uses one connection, the test can read lower than a multi-connection test on very fast or distant links. Wi-Fi, a VPN, other devices and a busy browser can all lower the result, so use a cable and close other apps for the most accurate number. Nothing from the test is stored on our servers.

Run the test below to see what your CenturyLink connection delivers: download speed, upload speed, ping and jitter. It takes about 30 seconds.

What speeds to expect on CenturyLink

CenturyLink sells two kinds of home internet. Fiber plans are fast and upload is close to download. Older copper (DSL) service is slower, and the speed you get depends on how far you are from the provider's equipment. A low result may simply be what that line can do. Check your plan or bill to see which one you have. In some areas the former CenturyLink network now belongs to Brightspeed.

Fiber. A wired test should land close to your plan, with upload near download.
DSL. Expect results below the top plan figure, and upload far lower than download.

Plans and names change by area, so check your CenturyLink account or bill for the exact speeds you pay for.

How to test your CenturyLink speed accurately

Use Ethernet. Connect a computer directly to the modem or router. Wi-Fi often hides what the line can really do.
Check your equipment. Fast plans need a modem and router that support those speeds. Older equipment is a common reason for low results.
Stop other traffic. Pause downloads and streaming on other devices, and turn off any VPN.
Test at different times. Run the test in the morning and again in the evening to see whether speed changes with demand.

The test here measures to the nearest Cloudflare server. CenturyLink's own speed test measures inside its own network, so the two numbers can differ slightly.

If your CenturyLink speed is slower than your plan

Test wired and on Wi-Fi. If wired matches the plan, the problem is your Wi-Fi.
Restart the modem and router. Unplug both for 30 seconds, plug in the modem first, wait for it to settle, then the router.
Check the cables. Make sure the connections are tight and the Ethernet cable is in good condition.
Look for a pattern. If it is only slow at certain times, the stability test can help you show that.
Contact CenturyLink if wired speeds stay well below your plan. Share your test results with them.

Want to know what your numbers mean? See what a good download speed is.

CenturyLink speed test FAQs

Is CenturyLink the same as Brightspeed?

Not exactly. In some areas the former CenturyLink network was taken over by Brightspeed. Check your bill to see which company serves you.

Why is my CenturyLink speed test lower than my plan?

Common causes are Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet, an older modem or router, other devices using the connection, or, on DSL, a long line to the provider's equipment. Test over Ethernet with other devices paused.

Is CenturyLink DSL slower than fiber?

Yes. DSL runs over older copper phone lines and is limited by distance and line quality. Fiber is much faster and more even.

What should I do if I am not getting the speed I pay for?

Test over Ethernet, restart the modem and router, and check your cables. If wired speeds stay well below your plan, contact your provider and share your test results.