What is a good ping speed?

If you have just purchased a router or are currently using one, then you probably are confused by the numerous terms used to describe internet speed.

PING stands for Packet Internet Groper and refers to a network utility signal that is sent from one computer across a network and back. This signal is measured in milliseconds.

High ping is when you have a ping rate of over 100ms. Anything from 50ms to 100ms is considered a good ping rate while anything below 20ms is considered a low ping rate.

What these figures mean is that if you are going to play high internet intensive games that require fast and prompt responses then go with a low ping rate. This will help reduce your drag.

The origins for the term ping started with back in the days with sonar technology where a pulse sound would be sent from a ship and the echo would be used to determine the distance of an object. In networking ping works by sending Internet control message protocol (ICMP) packets to servers and then waiting for a reply. The feedback received reveals information concerning packet loss, report errors and other data related to the round trips.

What is a good ping for gaming?

If you have been around gamers then you have probably heard the word ping been tossed around. Having the high ping rate can cost you a game if you are engaged in first shooter games. This is because your router has to send information on your response in the game which has to go to the servers and back. If you are engaged in some high shooter game then this delay will mean by the time you respond your opponent will have uncovered you.

While ping refers to the time in milliseconds that a signal makes back to source, latency is used to measure the round trip from the source to the servers and back. “Low” and “high” latency are often synonymous with “low” and “high ping”.

What is the difference between ping and lag?

Lag is another term that is commonly used by players and often confused with ping. Lag refers to the delay in getting a response from a game when you have sent a command. For example, you are playing a high speed car game and you press a button to activate nitro but the game takes a longer time for the results to be felt on screen. In this instance, you could say you are experiencing a high ping rate or lag.

In some cases, the main reason for lag or a high ping rate could be your computers specifications. A simple boost of RAM or upgrade of the graphics card will do the trick.

How to determine the ping rate

If you want to know the ping rate for your internet connection then you will need to perform a speed test. Most of router marketers will advertise their bandwidth rates but for a speed test you will need to do it yourself. To do this you will need access to a speed test tool. There hundreds of them available online with Ooklaspeedtest been one of them. The tool is simple to use and gives you access to a host of router information.

The speed test will reveal information on latency with figures rising the longer the distance from the nearest servers. While doing a speed test note the difference in ping rates when you are using a wired connection as opposed to a wireless one. In some instances, the ping rate can go down by as much as 20% once you decide to use a wired Ethernet connection for your gaming as opposed to the Wi-Fi network.

How to boost your ping rate

Most people who are often nervous about the ping rate are gamers – especially those who are engaged in games where a quick response determines the end result of the game. If you are experiencing high ping rates then you may decide to start with changing your ISP provider.

Not all ISPs are the same; the package you get will be determined by factors like price been paid, latency, bandwidth, speed among others. When choosing a package from your ISP it is prudent that you carefully check out the download and upload speeds. This gives you an awareness as to how long it takes to upload and download data. For gaming you should be on the lookout for high upload speeds as this help reduce latency and lower your ping rate.

Your purpose for getting a router will determine whether you go for a wired or wireless connection. If you are getting a router so that all devices in the household can get a connection then using the Wi-Fi will workout fine. However, if you are going to be using your internet mainly for gaming then wired Ethernet connections are most preferred. This is because with the wired connection you eliminate network congestions.

The transmission method will also have a direct bearing on your ping rates. If you want a connection solely for gaming then go for cable or fiber. This transmissions methods tend to be fast and have low latency rates. If fiber is not possible then you can opt for DSL connections or cable.

Conclusion

Latency is a major barrier for those playing online multiplayer games. It can cost you a game if it takes too long for your internet to respond whenever you type in a command. Having a wired Ethernet connection and using fiber instead of satellite can help reduce your ping rate to something reasonable. For most online games and live videos, low ping rates of below 20ms are sort after while anything between 50ms to 100ms is considered average. If you are experiencing ping rates of over 100ms then you are going to be frustrated surfing the net where a fast response is required.

FAQ

What is considered as a fast ping rate?

Anything under 20ms is considered exceptional while anything between 50ms to 100ms is average.

How can I improve my ping rate fast?

Close unnecessary background programs and reduce the number of devices using your connection.