Ping vs Jitter Explained
Ping measures latency. Jitter measures how much that latency varies. Low ping and low jitter make calls and games feel smooth and responsive.
What is ping?
Ping is the round‑trip time for a small packet to go to a server and back, measured in milliseconds. Lower ping means faster responses and less lag in real‑time apps.
What is jitter?
Jitter is the variation in ping. Even if your average ping is low, high jitter creates stutter, voice glitches, and inconsistent gameplay.
Good targets
- Excellent: ping under 20 ms, jitter under 5 ms
- Good: ping 20–50 ms, jitter under 10 ms
- Playable: ping 50–100 ms, jitter under 20 ms
How to reduce ping and jitter
- Use Ethernet or move closer to your router.
- Prefer 5 GHz Wi‑Fi or Wi‑Fi 6.
- Pause large uploads and cloud backups.
- Restart your modem/router if latency spikes.
Related Guides
Quick Answers
Which is worse: high ping or high jitter?
High jitter often feels worse in calls and games because it causes stutter.
What are good targets?
Aim for ping under 30 ms and jitter under 10 ms for smooth real‑time apps.
How can I lower jitter?
Reduce Wi‑Fi interference and limit background uploads.
What is the most common mistake?
Relying on a single test result or ignoring Wi‑Fi conditions is the most common mistake.