Bandwidth vs. Internet Speed: Differences Explained

A reliable internet connection is essential in today’s modern household. It gives you the freedom to work, entertain, surf the internet, and manage devices with ease.

Yet, for many, choosing the right service can be overwhelming and confusing. There’s a lot of terminology and technical knowledge to wrap your head around. Bandwidth. Internet speed. Throughput. Latency. What does it all mean? Particularly in the context of finding the right internet service.

Knowing the ins and outs of internet speed vs. bandwidth is a good place to start as you research and compare plans across internet service providers (ISPs). Many people use these foundational terms interchangeably, but they’re actually different. Bandwidth is about how much data can be transferred, while internet speed is about how fast it can be transferred.

Both internet speed and bandwidth matter. We’ll break down these terms, so you feel empowered when choosing internet solutions for your home.

What is bandwidth?

Your network’s bandwidth is the maximum amount of data your internet service can deliver through uploads, downloads, or file transfers in a given period. It represents the capacity your internet service provider offers. Bandwidth is usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps), but you may also see it as bits, kilobits, or gigabits per second.

The higher the bandwidth, the more data the system can deliver.

Throughput is a related term that describes how much of the total bandwidth reaches its destination in a given period. High bandwidth and high throughput (like that offered by gigabit internet) are optimal for most users.

In a modern household, you likely use devices and services that take up significant bandwidth. Think smart TVs or gaming consoles. If you don’t have enough bandwidth, you may notice these services running sluggishly. This is not a result of internet speed. It’s the result of lower bandwidth. You can more or less think of bandwidth vs. internet speed as capacity vs. speed.

What is internet speed?

Internet speed is how fast data moves back and forth on your network. Like bandwidth, it’s usually measured in megabits. But it represents the rate of speed data travels as opposed to the amount.

Speed also has a related term, latency, which is generally measured in milliseconds and represents how long it takes a data packet to travel between two points on the network. The lower the latency, the more optimal your internet connection — especially for online gaming. Higher latency can lead to delays and lag.

That’s how internet speed vs. bandwidth breaks down at a high level. Grasping the nuances of bandwidth, internet speed, and latency can be confusing. Our guide to internet speeds offers a deeper dive into how it all works.

Internet Speed vs. Bandwidth: Key Differences

To show how internet speed vs. bandwidth works, imagine a freeway. The more lanes the freeway has, the more cars can drive on it (bandwidth).

Now imagine you have a Ferrari (fast internet speed). As long as there are multiple lanes on the freeway, you’re able to zip quickly from Point A to Point B without issue.

But now, imagine a freeway with only two lanes (low bandwidth). Even though you have a Ferrari, you aren’t able to go as fast because you’re now stuck behind other people who are trying to use the same lanes.

Your internet service works in much the same way. The more bandwidth you have, the more “lanes” are available for people in your household to do online activities (gaming, streaming TV, video calls). And the more speed you have, the faster and smoother yuevcwill fncton.

Check out this chart as a quick reference guide to internet speed vs. bandwidth:

Why are internet speed and bandwidth important?

Internet speed and bandwidth determine how much you can do online and how efficiently. The more speed and capacity you have, the better your devices and services will run. You’ll experience shorter load times, less buffering, and a better connection, making it easier to entertain, work, and socialize online.

With more bandwidth, you can:

• Add more users in your household without less impact on internet quality

• Conduct video calls and meetings with little lag or buffering

• Load images on websites more quickly

• More quickly perform app updates, sync devices, and do cloud backups

• Accommodate more users uploading and downloading data simultaneously

With increased internet speed, you can:

• Connect with remote locations more quickly

• More easily conduct backups without straining other systems.

• Use multiple streaming services at once

• Enjoy a better online gaming experience

The bottom line is that more bandwidth and faster internet speeds give you and your household the freedom to do more online, without limitations or frustration. They’re essential to a smooth-running whole-home Wi-Fi setup.

Speed and Bandwidth of Different Internet Types

Achieving high speed and low latency relies heavily on the type of physical connection you have. When it comes to high-speed internet, collectively called “broadband,” options such as cable, DSL, and fiber are different-sized “pipes.” Each achieves much higher throughput and lower latency than the old dial-up systems and has improved over time.

Fiber internet provides the highest bandwidth and internet speeds, with some plans offering upload and download speeds over 1 Gbps.

Cable has the next highest bandwidth and internet speed, with upload and download speeds ranging between 5 Mbps to around 1 Gbps.

DSL is next and generally offers upload speeds of 1 to 20+ and download speeds ranging between 1 and 200 Mbps.

If you live in a rural area, satellite internet may be your only option, with upload and download speeds ranging from 50 to 150 Mbps.

How to Calculate Your Bandwidth and Internet Speed Needs

Now that you know the difference between internet speed vs. bandwidth, it’s time to calculate how much speed and bandwidth you need.

How your household uses the internet will largely determine the answer. For example, do you have a house full of gamers? A house full of avid streamers? Think about how you use the internet and assess your situation based on the following factors:

• Number of devices in your household: Devices include anything using internet service to run — and it may be more than you think. In addition to phones and tablets, be sure to count desktop computers, gaming consoles, security systems, and smart appliances (like thermostats, refrigerators, and TVs). The more devices, the more bandwidth you’ll need.

• Number of users in your household: The bigger your household, the greater your internet demands. Multiple users all connected at once will require higher bandwidth and internet speed.

• Usage type: As we discussed above, determining how you use internet service is key. If you work from home and participate in video calls or spend a lot of time on social media like TikTok and YouTube, you’ll want faster internet speed to keep up.

• Availability in your area: If you live in a rural area, 5G, fiber, and other high-speed internet services may not be available. However, service is always expanding.

• Budget: You’ll need to balance speed with a price that fits your budget. The faster your internet connection and the more bandwidth, typically there’s a higher price. If you work from home or run a business, it may be worth investing in more reliable internet options like fiber. If you are the only user in your house with fewer smart appliances, a less expensive option like cable or DSL may suffice.

Now, you’re ready to settle on a speed and bandwidth that works for you. This table breaks down what might work for your family based on how you use the internet:

But remember: When in doubt, faster is always better. With Kinetic Fiber Internet, you can surf, stream, and video conference with no interruptions and no data caps. You’ll get lightning-fast connections and ultra-low lag with speeds up to 2 Gbps.

If you’re not sure what you need or what your current internet speeds are, take an internet speed test to assess where you’re at.

Recap of Bandwidth vs. Internet Speed

We know that internet speed and bandwidth can be confusing but now you can use your newfound knowledge to make the best choice for your home.

Remember that bandwidth is your internet solution’s capacity, and speed is how fast you can upload and download data. Both are important when choosing an internet plan. Just make sure to consider how many users and devices are in your home, your budget, and the internet types available in your area.

Kinetic Fiber Internet is one of the fastest, most reliable options out there and is now available in 18 states. Check availability in your area today!

Bandwidth vs. Internet Speed FAQs

Are internet speed and bandwidth the same thing?

No. Internet speed is the rate data is transmitted, and bandwidth is the capacity or maximum amount of data your internet service can handle.

Do I need more bandwidth or speed?

If you want to add more users or devices to your household, increased bandwidth can accommodate the increased capacity. If you need to quickly upload or download videos, play online games, or stream live TV, faster internet speeds will help.

Does faster internet mean more bandwidth?

No, internet speed is different than bandwidth, so increasing speed does not mean you have more bandwidth.

Can you have high speed and low bandwidth?

Yes, you can have high internet speed and low bandwidth because they represent different aspects of your internet service. High internet speed may offer faster responses and load times, but low bandwidth limits the amount of data that can be transferred.

What is a good bandwidth speed?

Bandwidth is generally measured in megabits per second. A good speed will depend on the needs of your household. Generally, a household with one or two users needs 25 to 50 Mbps of bandwidth for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and streaming simultaneously. For more users, you’ll want more bandwidth to handle the amount of data being transferred.

How do I check my internet bandwidth?

One way to check bandwidth vs. internet speed is by conducting an internet speed test to measure your upload and download speeds. This will give you a good idea of how much of your available bandwidth you’re using.

Your total bandwidth available is equal to the maximum speed allocated by your internet plan.

What should I set my bandwidth to?

The amount of bandwidth you choose will depend on the number of users, devices, applications, and services you utilize. Larger households with more devices may want 200 Mbps or more to accommodate your needs.

What is the best Wi-Fi bandwidth?

Generally, you’ll want download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps. This can vary depending on the number of users in your home and the types of activities they’re performing though.