What broadband speed do you need?
Most homes need less broadband speed than they pay for. One or two people browsing and streaming in HD manage on 30 to 70 Mbps; a busy family streaming in 4K is fine with 100 to 300 Mbps. Gigabit speeds mostly help with big downloads and uploads. Fix your Wi-Fi before paying for a faster package.
By the billsqueeze team · Facts checked: 31 October 2026 · Updated:
- 1 to 2 people: 30 to 70 Mbps. 3 to 4 people: 100 to 300 Mbps. Heavy users: 500 Mbps+.
- Netflix recommends 15 Mbps per 4K stream and 5 Mbps for Full HD.
- Upload speed matters for video calls and sending files; some full fibre providers offer the same speed both ways.
- Slow at home? Test on a cable first: the problem is often Wi-Fi, not the line.
How much speed you really need
Most homes need less speed than providers suggest. One 4K stream needs about 15 Mbps, so the speed you need depends mostly on how many people are online at once.
| Your home | What you do online | Speed to look for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | Browsing, email, HD streaming on one screen, video calls | 30 to 70 Mbps |
| 3 to 4 people | 4K streaming on several screens, working from home, gaming | 100 to 300 Mbps |
| 5+ people or heavy users | Several 4K streams at once, big game downloads, uploading large files | 500 Mbps or more |
Download and upload speeds
Download speed matters for streaming, browsing and downloads. Upload speed matters for video calls, sending large files and backing up photos. Many full fibre deals on the Openreach network have much slower uploads than downloads; some providers with their own networks, like Hyperoptic and Community Fibre, offer the same speed both ways.
What a faster connection gets you
| Download speed | Time for 50 GB |
|---|---|
| 36 Mbps | About 3 hours 5 minutes |
| 100 Mbps | About 67 minutes |
| 500 Mbps | About 13 minutes |
| 900 Mbps | About 7 minutes |
Before you pay for more speed
- Test on a cable. If a laptop plugged into the router gets close to your package speed, the problem is Wi-Fi, not the line.
- Fix the Wi-Fi first. Move the router into the open, away from the floor and other electronics, or add a mesh system for larger homes.
- Check what’s available. Full fibre reaches most UK homes but not all; enter your postcode to see the speeds you can get.
- Use the speed guarantee. Most big providers have signed Ofcom’s voluntary broadband speeds code. If your speed drops below the minimum you were promised and isn’t fixed within 30 days, you can leave without a penalty.
See the speeds at your address
Enter your postcode to compare broadband deals by speed and total cost.
Common questions
Is 100 Mbps fast enough?
For most homes, yes. 100 Mbps handles several 4K streams, video calls and gaming at the same time.
Do I need gigabit broadband?
Only if you often download or upload very large files, or have many heavy users. For streaming and browsing, a slower package is usually enough.
Why is my broadband slower than advertised?
Wi-Fi, an old router or busy evening hours often slow things down. Test on a cable plugged into the router before contacting your provider.
What upload speed do I need?
Around 10 Mbps is enough for video calls. If you upload large files or stream yourself, look for a full fibre deal with faster uploads.