You can test your internet speed for free by using bandwidth meters found in many site over the internet. Note, however, that the results generated by these tests are not 100 percent accurate, and that your internet seed varies from time to time (depending on many factors). Nevertheless, a bandwidth meter can give you a very good idea of how fast your connection is, and is detrimental to helping you decide whether you need more speed or not.

How does a bandwidth meter work?

The process is actually very simple. When you go to bandwidth meter site and hit the test button, the sites server sends you a file and then calculates the length of time it takes for your computer to download the sent file. The resulting figure is your bandwidth speed.

A bandwidth meter essentially measures the capacity of your internet connection to carry information. The meter typically downloads an image to your computer you can specify a connection and speed to determine the size of the image that will be sent (it helps to at least know what type of connection you have). The meter then reports the rime it takes for the image to be downloaded to its servers, and you are sent the figure representing your internet speed. To know if your speed is decent enough, try comparing it to speeds offered by different kinds of internet service providers (such as DSL, cable access types and dial-up types).

Most free bandwidth meters have servers located in the United States. So if you are testing a computer outside the United States, your bandwidth score may be lowered. Factors other than your physical location affect the result, too. For instance, you will get a lower result if you are downloading other things or running a bandwidth-based program simultaneously as you test your speed.