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DSDownloadSpeed
Speed & Performance

Throughput

The actual amount of data successfully transferred over a connection per second, which is always lower than the advertised bandwidth due to protocol overhead and network conditions.

What It Means

Throughput is the real-world speed you experience, as opposed to the theoretical maximum bandwidth. A 100 Mbps connection typically delivers 85-95 Mbps throughput due to TCP/IP overhead, Wi-Fi inefficiency, and routing losses. Speed tests measure throughput, not bandwidth. Factors that reduce throughput include distance from the router, network congestion, old ethernet cables (Cat5 vs Cat6), and outdated modem firmware. If your speed test consistently shows less than 80% of your plan speed, contact your ISP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Throughput" mean?

The actual amount of data successfully transferred over a connection per second, which is always lower than the advertised bandwidth due to protocol overhead and network conditions.

Why does Throughput matter for internet quality?

Throughput is the real-world speed you experience, as opposed to the theoretical maximum bandwidth. A 100 Mbps connection typically delivers 85-95 Mbps throughput due to TCP/IP overhead, Wi-Fi inefficiency, and routing losses. Speed tests measure throughput, not bandwidth. Factors that reduce throug...

Related Terms

Download Speed
The rate at which data travels from the internet to your device, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Determines how fast web pages load, videos stream, and files download.
Upload Speed
The rate at which data travels from your device to the internet, measured in Mbps. Critical for video calls, cloud backups, live streaming, and working from home.
Latency (Ping)
The time it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower latency means more responsive connections.
Mbps (Megabits Per Second)
The standard unit for measuring internet speed. One megabit equals one million bits of data. Not to be confused with megabytes (MB), which are eight times larger.

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About This Data

Definitions based on FCC standards, industry specifications, and federal broadband policy. Speed benchmarks reflect 2024 FCC standards. See our methodology.