The latency war: What is ping and why does it matter?

Internet packages are often compared on their download and upload speeds, but there’s another important thing to consider - your ping speed. 

Latency and ping have a huge impact on some kinds of online work. Here’s everything you need to know about broadband ping, internet latency and more. 

What is broadband ping?

Your internet ping or ping speed is the amount of time taken for a data packet to be sent from your computer to another, and arrive back. You can think of it as the speed to send a signal and receive it back - ping gets its name from the ‘ping’ sound of radar detectors in the Second World War. 

The term ping is often used interchangeably with latency, but they are slightly different. Latency refers to the time taken from a signal to be sent to and received by a server from a computer. As well as the actual data journey (the ping) it also factors in congestion and processing time at the server end. 

Why does ping matter?

The higher your ping, the greater the delay between your input and the response from the server. 

When working in virtual environments, this delay can lead to slow, laggy operations and even mistakes in input, as your computer struggles to keep up with changes to your workspace. 

Ping is also very important in online gaming. Even small delays in communication with the server can slow your reactions, which are crucial in fast-paced online games. 

What ping speed do I need for online gaming?

The recommended maximum ping for online gaming depends on the type of game you are playing. Remember, unlike with upload and download speeds, a higher ping speed means a slower connection. 

If you are playing competitive action, racing or first-person-shooter games, you should look for a connection with a ping below 50ms. Any longer and you’ll notice a delay in your input, lag and a drop in your gaming performance. 

Turn-based games and MMOs are more forgiving, but a ping of more than 200ms will still leave these games difficult to play. With that high a latency, expect to experience input issues and ‘rubber banding’, where multiple actions are delayed and then performed all at once, sometimes changing your intended actions. 

How to measure your broadband ping

You can measure your ping as part of a broadband speed test. 

Our internet speed test measures your ping, as well as upload and download speed, so you can see how your home network is performing. 

How does broadband ping compare for different connection types?

Here’s how typical ping speeds vary in the UK based on what type of internet connection you’re using. 

Find out more about how 5G broadband compares to traditional wired connections here.

How can I improve my ping?

If your ping speed is too high, there are several things you can do to cut down on server communication time. 

Switching to a new internet service provider is probably the biggest single change you can make. If your current provider shows a consistently high ping rate, it’s time to make the switch. 

You can also reduce latency and ping speed by switching to a wired (Ethernet) connection, closing background applications or adjusting your router settings to prioritise ping over overall download speed.