What are jitter and latency, and why do they matter?
Jitter and latency are two key factors that affect the quality of your internet connection. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back. Lower latency means faster response times, which is especially important for online gaming, video calls, and live streaming.
Jitter measures how much that latency changes over time. High jitter can cause lag, buffering, and choppy audio or video in real-time apps. These issues are common with unstable networks or overloaded connections.
Running a regular jitter test helps you catch problems early and improve your internet performance. Try it now to check if your connection is stable and reliable.
How to use the jitter test
Using the tool is simple and easy, regardless of your Internet skill level! To use the jitter test, simply hit Start Test in the tool above. You'll see the Testing in Progress button as the tool works to assess and gather data.
When the test is done, your results will appear right below.
How to understand jitter test results
When you run a jitter test, you measure the variation in delay (latency) between data packets on your network. Low and steady jitter is ideal. That means your data is arriving in a smooth, regular stream.
High jitter means packets are arriving unevenly, which can cause problems in apps that need steady connections, like video calls or online games.
Here's how to interpret your results.
- 0–30ms jitter is considered excellent. Most applications will run smoothly. The test will show green if this is the case.
- 30–50ms is fair. Some small delays may happen. This is indicated with a yellow result in the tool above.
- Over 50ms is poor. It is likely to cause problems with calls, video, or games. If this is your jitter, you will see your results displayed in red.
You should also consider latency and packet loss when reading your results. Even if your network jitter is low, high latency can still slow you down. On the other hand, jitter spikes may not matter much during downloads but can ruin a Zoom call or game session.
Common causes of high jitter
High jitter often means your network is having trouble sending data consistently. Here are some common reasons for that:
- Network congestion. Too many devices using bandwidth - like streaming, gaming, and downloading - can delay data.
- WiFi interference. Wireless networks can be disrupted by walls, other devices (like microwaves), or weak signals.
- Old or overloaded equipment. Routers, modems, or switches that are old or handling too many devices can cause jitter.
- ISP routing issues. Sometimes the path your data takes through your Internet service provider’s network is inefficient or overloaded.
- Background apps and services. Programs like cloud backups, automatic updates, or background video calls can silently use up bandwidth.
Fixing these issues can go a long way in improving your jitter test results and boosting your overall internet quality.
When should you use the jitter test tool?
The jitter test tool is helpful whenever you're having trouble with real-time internet apps—or want to avoid those problems in the first place.
Run the test if you notice lag in online games, choppy audio in Zoom or Teams, or delays in video streaming.
You should also use the jitter test:
- Before an important video meeting or live stream, to ensure your connection is stable.
- When setting up a home office or gaming setup, to test your network conditions in different rooms or on different devices.
- After switching ISPs or upgrading your equipment, to evaluate improvements.
- At different times of the day, to see how network load and congestion affect performance.
Frequent testing helps you spot patterns and find the root of the issue. It’s quick, easy, and often the first step in solving annoying connection problems.