Latency

The delay in data transmission, measured in milliseconds (ms).

What is Latency?

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back again. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms) and reflects how quickly your internet responds when you click, type, or stream.

Why Latency Matters

Low latency is essential for real-time communication. In video calls, online gaming, and live streaming, high latency can cause lag, delays, or out-of-sync audio and video.

What is Considered ‘Good’ Latency?

  • Under 30 ms: Excellent for gaming and real-time apps
  • 30–70 ms: Good for most tasks including HD streaming
  • 70–150 ms: Acceptable for basic use but not ideal for gaming
  • 150+ ms: Likely to cause noticeable delays

What Causes High Latency?

  • Physical distance to servers
  • Network congestion
  • Poor routing by your ISP
  • Wi-Fi interference or outdated equipment
  • Use of VPNs or proxy servers

Latency vs Bandwidth

Latency is about response time — how fast a data signal travels. Bandwidth is about capacity — how much data can travel at once. You can have high bandwidth and still suffer from high latency if your network has delays in response time.

How to Reduce Latency

  • Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi
  • Choose servers closer to your location when possible
  • Pause downloads or streaming on other devices
  • Upgrade your router or contact your ISP about routing issues
  • Avoid heavy use of VPNs during real-time activities

FAQs

Speed and latency are different. You can have high bandwidth but still experience high latency due to distance, routing inefficiencies, or network congestion

Yes. A modern router with better signal handling and Quality of Service (QoS) features can reduce latency, especially over Wi-Fi.

In gaming, latency (also called "ping") affects how quickly your actions register on the server. High latency leads to lag and delays in movement or gameplay response.

Definitely. High latency can cause lags, frozen screens, and people talking over each other during calls.

Yes. VPNs route your connection through additional servers, which can increase latency, especially if the server is far away or overloaded.

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