WiFi Speed Test Interpreter
Interpret your speed test results.
See what download, upload, and ping speeds support HD streaming, video calls, gaming, and smart home devices.
How Wi-Fi Speed Is Calculated
Wi-Fi speed depends on the standard, frequency band, channel width, number of antennas (MIMO), and real-world interference. Advertised “maximum” speeds are theoretical — real-world performance is typically 40–70% of the maximum.
Throughput Formula (MIMO):
Max Throughput = Modulation Rate × Code Rate × Spatial Streams × Channels
Wi-Fi Standard Maximum Speeds:
| Standard | Band | Channel Width | Max Speed | Real-World |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) | 2.4/5 GHz | 40 MHz | 300 Mbps | 70–130 Mbps |
| 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 5 GHz | 80 MHz | 866 Mbps | 200–450 Mbps |
| 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 5 GHz | 160 MHz | 1.73 Gbps | 400–900 Mbps |
| 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 2.4/5/6 GHz | 160 MHz | 9.6 Gbps | 1–3 Gbps |
| 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | 2.4/5/6 GHz | 320 MHz | 46 Gbps | 5–15 Gbps |
Worked Example: Wi-Fi 5 router, 2×2 MIMO, 80 MHz channel:
- Single stream: 433 Mbps
- With 2 streams: 866 Mbps theoretical
- Real-world at 5 meters: ~400–500 Mbps
Speed Drops With Distance:
| Distance from Router | Signal Strength | Speed Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 m | Excellent | 70–100% max |
| 5–15 m | Good | 40–70% max |
| 15–30 m | Fair | 20–40% max |
| 30+ m / walls | Poor | 5–20% max |
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz: 2.4 GHz has better range but more interference and congestion. 5 GHz is faster but shorter range. Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 add 6 GHz band (fast, less crowded, shorter range).