Byter
Download Byter
What internet speed do you need?
For one video call, about 1.5–3 Mbps up and down. For HD streaming, about 5 Mbps; for 4K, about 15 Mbps. For online gaming, speed matters less than ping (under about 60 ms). Add these up for everyone using the connection at once.
| Activity | Speed needed (roughly) |
|---|---|
| Email, chat, browsing | 1–5 Mbps |
| Zoom / Teams call, 720p | About 1.2–1.5 Mbps up and down |
| Zoom call, 1080p | About 1.8–3 Mbps |
| Netflix HD | About 5 Mbps |
| Netflix 4K | About 15 Mbps |
| Online gaming | 3–10 Mbps, but low ping matters most |
Figures are based on Zoom’s and Netflix’s published recommendations; other services are similar.
Speed isn’t the same as data
A fast connection doesn’t use more data by itself, but HD video at high speed burns through a data allowance fast: see how much data streaming uses.
Check what you actually get
Byter shows your live speed in the menu bar and runs a full speed test in one click. It also tells you when your connection slows down.
Questions
Is 10 Mbps enough for working from home?
For one person with video calls, usually yes. Several people streaming at once may need more.
What speed do I need for Zoom?
About 1.2–1.5 Mbps up and down for 720p, and about 1.8–3 Mbps for 1080p, according to Zoom’s guidance.