Home network · Internet speed
Household bandwidth needed.
Enter how many of each activity could run at the same time. The tool adds the FCC Broadband Speed Guide minimums into a low and a high estimate, with headroom on top.
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Household Bandwidth Calculator: how it works
The FCC's Broadband Speed Guide lists the minimum download speed for each online activity. This tool uses its figures: standard-definition video 3 to 4 Mbps, HD video 5 to 8, 4K video 25, HD personal video call 1.5, HD video teleconferencing 6, online multiplayer gaming 4, file downloading 10, general browsing and email 1, and student or telecommuting 5 to 25. Where the FCC gives a range, the tool keeps both ends to produce a low and a high estimate. Netflix's Help Center separately recommends 3 Mbps for HD (720p), 5 for Full HD and 15 for 4K, a bit lower for 4K than the FCC's 25.
The FCC states its numbers are rough guidelines and are based on running one activity at a time, so summing them for simultaneous use is this tool's extension, not an FCC finding. Security cameras mainly use upload; their bitrate is your own input.
Worked example. 1 SD stream, 2 HD streams, 1 4K stream, 1 HD video call, 1 online gamer and 1 person working from home. Low = 3 + 2 x 5 + 25 + 1.5 + 4 + 5 = 48.5 Mbps. High = 4 + 2 x 8 + 25 + 1.5 + 4 + 25 = 75.5 Mbps. With 25% headroom that is 60.6 to 94.4 Mbps, so a 100 Mbps plan covers it.
Frequently asked questions
How many Mbps do I need for my household?
Add the minimum speed of every activity that could run at once. The FCC lists 5 to 8 Mbps per HD stream and 25 Mbps for 4K, for example. This tool adds them and gives a low to high range.
How much bandwidth does 4K streaming need?
The FCC Broadband Speed Guide lists 25 Mbps for streaming Ultra HD 4K video, and Netflix recommends 15 Mbps or higher.
Does everyone in the house use the connection at once?
Not always. Count only the activities that could realistically overlap at your busiest time.
Why does upload matter?
Cameras and cloud backups send data out. Check the upload speed of your plan as well as its download speed.
Sources
Checked
- Broadband Speed Guide | Federal Communications Commission
- Netflix-recommended internet speeds | Netflix Help Center
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Not professional advice
Planning guide only, not professional advice. FCC figures are described by the FCC as rough guidelines.