Internet speed test spectrum

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 Spectrum connection delivers: download speed, upload speed, ping and jitter. It takes about 30 seconds.

What speeds to expect on Spectrum

Spectrum is a cable internet provider. Cable is fast for downloads but has much less room for uploads, so your upload speed will be far lower than your download speed. Depending on the plan, upload is typically somewhere between 10 and 35 Mbps, even on the gigabit plan. That is normal for cable and not a fault, but it is worth knowing if you upload large files, stream live or work on video calls all day.

Download: a wired test should come close to your plan speed, and cable connections often measure slightly above or below it.
Upload: compare against your plan's upload figure, not the download figure.
Ping: usually in the tens of milliseconds, which is fine for calls and most games.

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

How to test your Spectrum 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 modem. Gigabit plans need a modem and router that support gigabit speeds. An older modem is a common reason for results far below the plan.
Stop other traffic. Pause downloads and streaming on other devices, and turn off any VPN.
Test at different times. Cable is shared with your neighbors, so evening peak hours can be slower. Run the test in the morning and again in the evening.

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

Check your modem and Wi-Fi first

On cable, the two most common causes of a result far below the plan are the modem and the Wi-Fi, not the line itself.

Modem: check that your modem supports your plan speed. If you are unsure, ask Spectrum which equipment fits your plan.
Router: an older router can cap Wi-Fi well below the line speed even when the modem is fine.
Wi-Fi: compare a wired test with a Wi-Fi test in the room you use most. The gap is your Wi-Fi.

If your Spectrum 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 coax cable is tight and the Ethernet cable is in good condition.
Look at the evening slowdown. If it is only slow at peak hours, the local network may be congested. The stability test can help you show that.
Contact Spectrum if wired speeds stay well below your plan. Share your test results with them.

Spectrum speed test FAQs

Why is my Spectrum upload speed so much lower than download?

Spectrum is a cable network, and cable gives most of its capacity to downloads. Upload is typically between 10 and 35 Mbps depending on the plan, even on gigabit plans. That is normal for cable.

Why is my Spectrum speed test lower than my plan?

Common causes are Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet, an older modem or router that cannot handle your plan speed, other devices using the connection, or evening congestion on a shared cable network. Test over Ethernet and compare morning and evening.

Does Spectrum slow down at night?

It can. Cable is shared with neighbors, so peak evening hours can be slower. Run the test at different times of day to see whether there is a pattern.

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

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

Do I need a new modem for faster Spectrum speeds?

Possibly. Higher-speed plans need a modem and router that support them, and Spectrum can tell you which of its equipment works with your plan. An old modem is a common reason for results far below the plan.

Is my Spectrum Wi-Fi slower than my wired speed?

Often, yes. Wi-Fi speed drops with distance, walls and interference. If wired matches your plan and Wi-Fi does not, move the router to a central spot or add a mesh node.