When you have internet, you may have heard the terms of upload speed and download speed but what do they actually mean? Internet speed is simply a measure of how much data your internet connection transfers every second. It's typically provided in megabits per section of Mbps. The internet speed that you see will measure the rate at which you can have data delivered to and from your home. This is also known as download speed.

However, internet data goes in two ways. You both upload and download information online so your connection will have different speeds for both of these functions.

Download Speed

This is the more commonly type of internet speed that's measured. It measures how many megabits of data to download any type of data such as videos, text, audio, and images. For example, tasks such as listening to music online, downloading large files, and streaming video all require download data.

In general, speeds of 25 Mbps are considered to be ade4quate since they meet the minimum broadband threshold. However, depending on your own use of the internet, this may not be fast enough for your home. Multiple users and multiple devices all connected can slow down your speed. For this reason, many users will purchase a higher speed to avoid delays.

Upload Speed

This is a term that refers to how many megabits or data you can send information to another server or device on the internet. While downloading information is much more common, you probably participate in online activities that require data to travel. Sending emails and video calling are two examples of using upload speeds. You are sending information away from your computer which is why this is known as upload speed.

Upload speeds don't need the same speed as download speeds. For this reason, a speed of 3 Mbps is considered to be a good one. This meets the FCC's minimum standard. If you work from home, frequently upload videos online, or participate in video calling regularly, you may find that your internet connection is lower than desirable. When this happens, you may need to contact your internet provider and obtain a plan with a higher upload speed.

Download Vs Upload Speed

When viewing internet plans, you'll probably notice that most providers offer plans that have a higher download than upload speed. One example is a plan from At&T which has a download and upload speed difference of about 400 Mbps. The internet speed that you need though is going to depend on what activities you do online and how many people you have using the internet in your home.

For the average user who does not work from home, download speeds are typically more important. This is optimal when you have multiple users that are streaming on multiple devices. The major exception to this is people who work from home but require the internet to do their jobs. They may still need fast download speeds but also require fast upload speeds. When shopping for plans, consider how much data you need for both activities.