What is the best internet speed for gaming? Your ping rate, latency, and more.

When online gaming, it’s important to have access to internet speeds that allow you to game at your full potential (with low lag and minimal buffering). Typical internet speeds for a workable gaming should be around 3 Mbps download speeds, and around 1-2 Mbps upload speeds.

Recommended speed by console and cloud gaming platform

Console gaming is a popular way to play video games and doesn't require as much internet speed as PC gaming. However, you'll still need a fast connection to avoid delays.

Here are the recommended speeds for several popular consoles:

• Nintendo: Recommends testing your connection and comparing your speeds against 3 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.
• Xbox: Having XBOX All Access offers broad content, games, and other options and recommends a minimum of 3 Mbps for downloads and 0.5 Mbps for online gaming uploads. They recommend a 1 Mbps download speed for SD streaming, while for HD streaming, a minimum of 3.5 Mbps download speed is recommended.
• PlayStation: PlayStation requires at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload for an optimal gaming experience.
• Mobile: Gaming on your mobile device will require a fast and reliable internet connection, as most games are played online. The recommended speeds will vary depending on the game you're playing.

• Steam: Recommends a minimum download speed of 1 Mbps.
• Xbox Cloud Gaming: Suggests best performance is achieved by a 20 Mbps download speed for PC, console, and tablet gaming.
• PlayStation Cloud Streaming: Recommends an upload and download speed of 5 Mbps to establish a cloud gaming connection. 7 Mbps for streaming at 720p and 13 Mbps minimum to stream at 1080p.

Recommended speed by types of game

When it comes to internet speed for gaming, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The amount of speed you need will change depending on the type of game you're playing.

Here are some general recommendations:

• First-person shooters (FPS): These fast-paced games require quick reflexes. A reliable internet connection is important to avoid delay, as even a small lag can cause you to miss your target. It is recommended to have a minimum download speed greater than30 Mbps with an upload speed of more than 1 Mbps.
• Role-Playing Game (RPG): These games are slower-paced and require more strategy than reflexes. A strong internet connection is still essential to limit lag, but you won't need as much speed as you would for an FPS game. It is recommended to have a minimum download speed of more than 1.5 Mbps with an upload speed of greater than1 Mbps.
• Massively multiplayer online game (MMO): These games are played online with hundreds or thousands of other players. A fast and reliable internet connection is important to minimize delay. It is recommended to have a minimum download speed of more than 3.5 Mbps with an upload speed of greater than 0.5 Mbps.
• Real-time strategy games: These games allow players to play simultaneously in real-time. It is recommended to have a minimum download speed of more than 3 Mbps with an upload speed of more than 0.5 Mbps.

Recommended speed for live streaming

When gaming, it's also important to consider what else you'd like your gaming set-up to do for you. Do you want to stream your gaming experience in real-time on platforms like Twitch, Kick, TikTok or YouTube Live? Then you may need a faster, higher-speed internet connection that offers higher upload and download speeds and greater bandwidth.

Here are some general recommendations by service:

• Twitch: recommends a bitrate between 3000 Kbps to 6000 Kbps depending on the encoder you use to maximize your video output quality. For 720p quality, Twitch recommends a bitrate between 3000 Kbps and 4500 Kbps. For 1080p, they recommend bitrates between 4500 Kbps to 6000 Kbps.
• Kick: supports a range of 1000 Kbps to 8000 Kbps for streaming a 1080p streaming quality.
• YouTube Live: supports a large range of bitrates depending on encoder and video quality. For 240p they recommend a bitrate of 4 Mbps. For 720p they recommend 6 Mbps. For 1080p they recommend a range between 10 Mbps -12 Mbps. For 1440p they recommend a range between 15 Mbps - 24 Mbps. For 4K resolution they recommend a bitrate between 30 to 35 Mbps.
• TikTok Live: according to Restream.io, they recommend a bitrate of about 2500 Kbps for streaming at 1080p or at least 720p.

In addition to internet speed, it's important to consider your ping rate or latency - the amount of time it takes information from your computer or console to reach the intended server. When gaming, the best ping rate should be around 50 - 100 milliseconds, meaning that even fractions of a second in latency can cause lag. Be sure to look for internet speeds that prioritize low-latency.

It's also important to note that other factors can affect ping rate, like distance between your device and the server, how many users are trying to access the server at once, and your internet service type.

Go wired using an ethernet cable

One of the most impactful steps you can take to eliminate lag is to connect your console or PC directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. While Wi-Fi is convenient, it is susceptible to interference, which creates packet loss and "ping spikes" — those sudden jumps in latency that ruin a game. A wired connection lessens the chance of interference, providing a stable ping and the fastest possible route to the server.

Disconnect devices not in use

Your home's total bandwidth is shared among every connected device. Even if a device isn't actively in use, it might be running in the background, checking for updates or syncing cloud data. These background tasks steal tiny fractions of bandwidth and introduce noise that can increase latency. Before logging into your game, ask if everyone in the house can put their idle devices into Airplane Mode or temporarily disconnect them from the Wi-Fi.

Pause downloads

Large downloads are the ultimate bandwidth thieves. A modern console or PC game update can be tens of gigabytes in size, and downloading it consumes the majority of your available download speed. This completely takes away bandwidth from your gaming session, resulting in massive lag, stuttering, and dropped connections. Always check your console's download queue and computer's background processes (like Steam or Xbox Game Pass) and pause any active downloads before joining a multiplayer game. This ensures all available bandwidth is dedicated solely to your low-latency gaming connection.

Upgrade your internet if possible

Sometimes, the issue isn't a setting — it's the service. If you've tried every troubleshooting tip and still struggle with latency, it's time to check if a higher-speed is available in your area. Modern, competitive gaming setups benefit most from internet built for speed and low-latency, such as Verizon Fios. Fios uses 100% fiber-optics, providing a stable and low-latency connection essential for pro-level gameplay. Check your address to see which Verizon solutions can give you the speed and stability you need.

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