What Is a Good Upload Speed?
Upload speed affects video calls, cloud storage, live streaming, and sending large files. The right target depends on how many people share the connection.
Quick benchmarks
- Casual browsing and email: 1–3 Mbps
- HD video calls: 3–6 Mbps
- Group calls or screen sharing: 6–10 Mbps
- Cloud backups and large uploads: 10–20 Mbps+
- Live streaming: 8–15 Mbps+
Why upload speed matters
- Low upload speed causes choppy video calls and slow file sharing.
- Upload saturation can also increase ping and jitter for everyone on the network.
How to improve upload speed
- Pause large uploads while on calls.
- Use Ethernet or stand closer to your router.
- Upgrade older routers that cap upstream throughput.
Related Guides
Quick Answers
What upload speed do video calls need?
3–6 Mbps is fine for HD calls; higher is better for groups or screen sharing.
Why does upload affect ping?
When uploads saturate the line, latency and jitter rise for everyone.
How do I increase upload?
Use Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi‑Fi and avoid heavy background uploads during tests.
What is the most common mistake?
Relying on a single test result or ignoring Wi‑Fi conditions is the most common mistake.