WiFi Speed Test Interpreter
Interpret your speed test results.
See what download, upload, and ping speeds support HD streaming, video calls, gaming, and smart home devices.
How Wi-Fi Speed Is Calculated
Wi-Fi speed depends on the standard, frequency band, channel width, number of antennas (MIMO), and real-world interference. Advertised “maximum” speeds are theoretical — real-world performance is typically 40–70% of the maximum.
Throughput Formula (MIMO):
Max Throughput = Modulation Rate × Code Rate × Spatial Streams × Channels
Wi-Fi Standard Maximum Speeds:
| Standard | Band | Channel Width | Max Speed | Real-World |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) | 2.4/5 GHz | 40 MHz | 300 Mbps | 70–130 Mbps |
| 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 5 GHz | 80 MHz | 866 Mbps | 200–450 Mbps |
| 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 5 GHz | 160 MHz | 1.73 Gbps | 400–900 Mbps |
| 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 2.4/5/6 GHz | 160 MHz | 9.6 Gbps | 1–3 Gbps |
| 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | 2.4/5/6 GHz | 320 MHz | 46 Gbps | 5–15 Gbps |
Worked Example: Wi-Fi 5 router, 2×2 MIMO, 80 MHz channel:
- Single stream: 433 Mbps
- With 2 streams: 866 Mbps theoretical
- Real-world at 5 meters: ~400–500 Mbps
Speed Drops With Distance:
| Distance from Router | Signal Strength | Speed Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 m | Excellent | 70–100% max |
| 5–15 m | Good | 40–70% max |
| 15–30 m | Fair | 20–40% max |
| 30+ m / walls | Poor | 5–20% max |
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz: 2.4 GHz has better range but more interference and congestion. 5 GHz is faster but shorter range. Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 add 6 GHz band (fast, less crowded, shorter range).
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
SuperGlobalCalculator is independently built and maintained. See how we build and verify our calculators.