You can easily determine the speed of your internet connection bandwidth by using websites that offer free bandwidth tests. But do these sites really measure the 'real-time' performance of your web connection? Read on to understand how bandwidth tests really work, and bust the misconceptions you have about them.

Understanding bandwidth tests

A bandwidth test is actually a program that measures your internet speed by sending one or more files of predetermined size over a network to your computer. It then measures the time it takes for your computer to download the sent file. The result - which is the measure of your internet speed - is a figure expressed in either kilobits per second (kbps) or megabits per second (mbps).

Remember that figures resulting from bandwidth tests are only 'theoretical' - they may fluctuate greatly because of several factors, the most common of which is change in internet traffic. As more log on to the internet using the same internet service provider as yours, for example, speed decreases. The size of the file sent by the bandwidth tester also has an effect on the result - try another bandwidth tester that sends smaller files and you might get a higher speed figure. Also, if many people were using the bandwidth test server at the time of your test, your results may be compromised.

How do you get accurate bandwidth test results?

The only way to get a more accurate bandwidth speed result is to repeat the test over and over, using different sites, if you can. Some experts say that you should conduct the test at least six times in four or more different sites. List down all the results of each bandwidth test from the highest to the lowest. Disregard the top and bottom third of the list and concentrate on the middle figures. Average these figures, and you get a pretty accurate figure representing your normal internet speed.

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