1-866-445-8084What is a good internet speed for gaming?
Online gaming is incredibly popular, with millions of gamers spending time on their PCs, handheld devices, and consoles every single day.
From first-person shooters (FPS) to real-time strategy (RTS) games and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), there’s something out there for everyone. But today’s biggest games demand true high-speed internet to perform well.
A good rule of thumb for internet speed for gaming is to get the fastest possible speed you can find. The best internet plans come with high upload and download speeds and low latency to ensure you won’t miss a second of your favorite games.
In general, fiber internet will offer the highest speeds and best gaming experience. In fact, we surveyed 241 gamers and 74% of them said switching to fiber improved their gaming experience (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*).
Let’s explore the basics of high-speed internet for gamers, including why Kinetic Fiber internet packages offer some of the best options for your high-powered gaming needs.
Internet Speed Terms for Gamers
Internet speed measures how fast information travels between a connected device and servers. When most people think about how fast their internet is, they focus on download speeds. However, other factors play a part, too.
Download Speed (Mbps)
When most people think about internet speed, download speed is the metric that comes to mind. This is the speed at which data transfers from the internet to your device. It impacts how fast games download and how smoothly they play.
We measure download speeds in megabits per second (Mbps). Higher download speeds typically result in speedier game downloads and reduced buffering during gameplay.
Casual mobile gamers can often get by with download speeds of around 3-5 Mbps for smaller games or apps.
Console players on PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch who play more demanding games often require 15-25 Mbps to ensure smooth updates and downloads.
Competitive PC gamers whose games have graphics-intensive multiplayer components might require over 100 Mbps to minimize downtime and ensure seamless experiences.
Hardware plays a strong part in ensuring online gaming performance, but the right internet plan is just as important.
Upload Speed (Mbps)
Like download speed, upload speed—the rate at which your device sends data to the internet—plays a crucial role in online gaming performance. Upload speed is also measured in Mbps. Higher upload speeds ensure smoother gameplay by reducing lag and improving communications. Different types of activities and games require higher upload speeds. For most people, a 5-10 Mbps upload suits their gaming needs, but serious gamers should invest in higher speeds—50 Mbps or more—which are available on most fiber internet plans.
Ping (Ms)
Ping is the time it takes for a signal to travel from your device to a game server and back, measured in milliseconds. Ping in gaming determines the responsiveness of your actions during play. Lower ping (less time) leads to smoother, more responsive gameplay, while higher pings (more time) lead to delays, disruptions, and “lag.” What does this look like in practice? High ping in a fast-paced online shooter could result in noticeable delays between button presses and seeing the action occur on screen. This leads to missed shots or delayed reactions, putting players with high ping at a severe disadvantage.
Latency (ms)
Latency—or lag—is the delay between a player’s action and the game’s response. Like ping, it is measured in milliseconds. Unlike ping, latency takes other factors into account, like buffering time and network congestion.
Latency significantly impacts game fluidity and responsiveness. Lower latency ensures smoother interactions and allows players to react swiftly and accurately to in-game events.
High latency is bad and causes a different form of “lag.” It can result in stuttering and poor frame rates, which puts players at a negative disadvantage against opponents with lower latency.
What’s a good internet speed for online computer gaming?
The short answer? The best internet speed for online computer gaming is as fast as possible. If lag is a serious concern, you’ll want to find an internet plan and setup that gives you ping and latency speeds below 50 ms.
Games are bigger and more complex than ever, especially on PC, where downloading games from online stores like Steam reigns supreme.
While games like Minecraft and Roblox might have smaller file sizes and speed requirements, AAA games like Call of Duty, Final Fantasy XIV Online, Elden Ring, and Fortnite demand the fastest available connections.
Let’s take a closer look at recommended internet speeds for specific types of gaming consoles.
What’s a good internet speed for Xbox gaming?
According to Microsoft’s guidelines, online gaming requires a minimum download speed of 3 Mbps and an upload speed of 0.5 Mbps. Ping for Xbox games should be fewer than 150 milliseconds.
But is that really good? Not quite. While you can play Fortnite or Call of Duty with these minimum speeds, it’s probably not a great experience. As mentioned above, faster internet connections can lead to a better experience.
Aim for Gig speed connection to ensure you stay online and in the game. And if you really want to turbocharge your performance, a fiber connection offers maximum reliability and speed.
What’s a good internet speed for PlayStation gaming?
Much like with the Xbox, gaming on your PlayStation means a minimum of at least 5 Mbps for your connection speed, but faster speeds are always recommended.
Many of the most popular online games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and College Football 25 benefit from faster speeds—including 1 Gig fiber speeds that can handle practically everything you throw at them.
What’s a good internet speed for Nintendo Switch gaming?
Gaming on the Nintendo Switch is an interesting conundrum because, as a machine, it doesn’t have the processing power of other consoles. Its games are often less graphically intensive, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t optimize your connection for gaming.
Nintendo’s minimum requirements stipulate that your download and upload speeds are 3 Mbps and 1 Mbps, respectively. Whether you plan on playing the most popular Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Rocket League, or Fortnite, optimizing your connection goes a long way in ensuring a great experience.
Tips for Low Lag Gaming
If it’s available in your area, switching to a fiber internet plan can help reduce lag. Over half of online gamers said they noticed less lag with a fiber connection (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*).
While a low lag gaming experience usually depends on your internet connection speed, that’s not the only thing to think about. Choosing the right settings can make all the difference.
Consider the following tips to ensure smoother gameplay:
Use a wired connection whenever possible. Whole-home Wi-Fi is fantastic and has come a long way over the past few decades, but it still can’t compare to the benefits of a physical wired connection. Using an ethernet cable to connect your gaming device to your router should improve your speeds.
Upgrade hardware for enhanced performance. Sometimes, outdated hardware can be a bottleneck for smooth gaming. Upgrade your router to a model that supports higher speeds and more connections. Additionally, your gaming device itself might not pass muster. Upgrading to sufficient RAM (at least 16 GB of DDR5) and a capable graphics card can boost performance, reduce lag, and enhance gameplay.
Use quality-of-service (QoS) settings to prioritize traffic. QoS settings on your router or Wi-Fi management app can help prioritize gaming traffic over other types of internet activity. That’s important when everyone’s using multiple devices at once, competing for bandwidth.
Avoid bandwidth-intensive activities when gaming. If you’re wondering why your internet connection is so slow, it’s probably because of network traffic. Streaming videos, downloading large files, or video conferencing when gaming can consume significant bandwidth. To optimize performance, avoid these activities during your gaming sessions.
Understanding Different Internet Types for Gaming
Choosing an internet connection for gaming means understanding the different types of connection available. The specific internet plans you have to choose from largely depend on your location but can include the following:
Fiber internet
Cable internet
DSL internet
Satellite internet
Fiber internet
Fiber internet is the gold standard for gaming and offers the fastest possible connection speeds. Using fiber optic cables, this service delivers equal upload and download speeds that are perfect for seamless gaming and streaming needs.
Consider this; when we asked 241 gamers how fiber internet has affected their gaming experience (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*) .
51% said they experience less lag
42% said they feel less frustrated when playing their games
39% said the game graphics are better
27% said they score higher in their games
The biggest downside to fiber internet is that it is limited to certain areas.
Cable internet
Cable internet is widely available and offers relatively high speeds, making it a popular choice for many gamers. However, it uses the same infrastructure as cable TV, which can lead to congestion during peak hours. General reliability and speed consistency can vary based on the number of users in your area.
DSL internet
DSL internet operates over telephone lines and is a middle ground between cable and fiber internet speeds. While it offers lower speeds than cable and fiber internet, DSL connections are into shared in the same way as cable connections, allowing those speeds to be more consistent.
Satellite internet
Many rural and remote internet users rely on satellite internet. While it provides service where others can’t, it often suffers from high costs and latency and lower speeds. This negative impact can make it less than ideal for fast-paced online games.
An Internet Plan that Keeps You in the Game
The right internet plan and equipment make all the difference between lining up the perfect shot and missing the target. Kinetic Fiber Internet options ensure you have the fastest speeds at your fingertips.
When you need blazing-fast internet speeds, choose a 1 Gig or 2 Gig internet package that ensures everyone can game, stream, and surf the web without delays.
View plan details and check for fiber internet availability near you today.
What is a good internet speed for gaming? FAQs
Is 100 Mbps good for gaming?
300 Mbps more than meets the needs of most gamers, who usually only need between 5-10 Mbps for basic gaming needs. An internet plan that offers this much bandwidth can also support multiple gamers or devices on one network.
Is 300 Mbps good for gaming?
If 100 Mbps is good for gaming, 300 Mbps is even better. Many wireless routers can reach speeds of 300-500 Mbps, depending on the number of devices on your network.
Is 1 Gig overkill for gaming?
When it comes to online gaming, there’s no such thing as overkill. 1000 Mbps internet access through Fiber Internet plans from Kinetic ensures you have some of the fastest possible speeds for your gaming PC, console, and handheld devices. Even better, a 1 Gig internet plan often means you can game in peace and experience no lag, even when other people are using Wi-Fi in your home.
*About this data: Study includes data from survey conducted by third-party survey research company on Aug. 19, 2024, of respondents aged 18 and up across all 50 states. Participants were recruited using Random Device Engagement (RDE) and do not have a relationship with Kinetic or the survey research company used. More information on methodology here.