Jitter Test

Jitter & Latency Test

This test measures your network's average latency and jitter. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel to a server and back. Jitter is the variation in latency over time. Lower values are better.

  • Green: Excellent performance (Your connection is stable with minimal delay.)
  • Yellow: Moderate performance (You may experience occasional disruptions.)
  • Red: Poor performance (Your network may not be reliable for real-time applications.)

What are jitter and latency, and why do they matter?

Jitter and latency are two critical factors affecting the quality of your Internet connection. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back. Lower latency means faster response times, which is crucial for online gaming, video calls, and streaming. Jitter, on the other hand, measures the variation in latency over time. High jitter can cause buffering, lag, and choppy audio or video in communication apps.

Regularly testing your jitter and latency can help you diagnose connectivity issues and optimize your Internet performance. Try the test now to ensure your network is running smoothly!

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.

Once the tool is finished, you'll see your results below.

How to interpret jitter test results

When you run a jitter test, you measure the delay, or latency, between data packets traveling across your network. A low and consistent jitter is ideal, because this means that your packets are arriving at properly spaced intervals. High jitter, however, means that the packets are sending irregularly, which then causes disruptions in applications.

Generally, these are the rules for jitter test 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 acceptable but may cause minor hiccups in sensitive tasks. This is indicated with a yellow result in the tool above.
  • Over 50ms is often problematic, especially for voice or video communication. If this is your jitter, you will see your results displayed in red.

It’s also important to look at jitter alongside factors like ping and packet loss. Even with low jitter, a high average latency could still result in poor performance. On the other hand, network jitter spikes might not matter during downloads but can ruin a live conversation or game session. Always interpret results based on your specific use case.

Common causes of high jitter

High jitter is usually a sign that your network is struggling to deliver data packets in a consistent and timely manner. Several common factors can contribute to this problem:

  1. Network congestion. Network congestion is the most frequent cause of jitter. When too many devices are using bandwidth at once - streaming, gaming, downloading large files - packets can be delayed or arrive out of order.
  2. WiFi instability. Wireless connections are more prone to interference from walls, other devices (like microwaves), or weak signals. This can cause inconsistent transmission times.
  3. Outdated or overloaded hardware. Routers, modems, or switches that are old or handling more traffic than they’re designed for may introduce delays.
  4. ISP routing issues. Sometimes the path your data takes through your Internet service provider’s network is inefficient or overloaded.
  5. Background apps and services. Devices running multiple apps - cloud backups, automatic updates, or background video calls - can silently consume bandwidth and increase jitter.

Identifying and addressing these causes can dramatically improve your network's stability.

How often should you use the jitter test tool?

A jitter test tool is especially useful anytime you're experiencing - or want to prevent - performance issues in real-time Internet applications. Therefore, we recommend using it often.

For example, if you're noticing dropped audio during Zoom calls, lag during online gaming, or delayed video playback in streaming apps, running a jitter test can help diagnose the problem.

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 various times of day, to see how network load and congestion affect performance.

Regular testing gives you insight into whether issues are sporadic or persistent. It's a quick way to get actionable data, and in many cases, it's the first step toward solving frustrating connectivity problems.