Which internet speed do I need?
Count the video streams and calls that run at the same time in your home, and add any other use. The internet speed calculator adds up the download and upload speed they need, in Mbps.
- Download speed needed (Mbps)
- 23
You need about 23 Mbps download and 3.8 Mbps upload for 3 streams and calls at once.
- Upload speed needed (Mbps)
- 3.8
- Streams and calls at once
- 3
Download speed needed (Mbps): 23. You need about 23 Mbps download and 3.8 Mbps upload for 3 streams and calls at once.
How to calculate
Adds up the download and upload speed a home needs for the streams and video calls it runs at the same time, from the services’ own recommended speeds, plus any other use you add.
Example with the default inputs (4K streams 1, 1080p (full HD) streams 1, 720p (HD) streams 0, HD video calls 1, Other download (Mbps) 0, Other upload (Mbps) 0): You need about 23 Mbps download and 3.8 Mbps upload for 3 streams and calls at once.
Method: Download = 15 × 4K streams + 5 × 1080p streams + 3 × 720p streams + 3.0 × video calls + other download. Upload = 3.8 × video calls + other upload. All in Mbps.
- Speeds are the services’ own recommendations; other services may need more or less.
- Everything counted runs at the same time. Things that never overlap need not be added together.
- The answer is the speed the activities use. Wi-Fi, other users on the line and busy hours can lower what a plan delivers, so a plan above this number leaves room.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- 4K streams 1, 1080p (full HD) streams 1, 720p (HD) streams 0, HD video calls 1, Other download (Mbps) 0, Other upload (Mbps) 0 gives Download speed needed (Mbps) 23, Upload speed needed (Mbps) 3.8, Streams and calls at once 3.Source: Netflix Help Center, "Internet connection speed recommendations" (720p 3 Mbps, 1080p 5 Mbps, 4K 15 Mbps), https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306 (retrieved 2026-10-05); Zoom Support, "Zoom system requirements: bandwidth" (group 1080p video: 3.8 Mbps up, 3.0 Mbps down), https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0060748 (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- 4K streams 2, 1080p (full HD) streams 0, 720p (HD) streams 3, HD video calls 2, Other download (Mbps) 10, Other upload (Mbps) 1.5 gives Download speed needed (Mbps) 55, Upload speed needed (Mbps) 9.1, Streams and calls at once 7.Source: Netflix Help Center, "Internet connection speed recommendations" (720p 3 Mbps, 1080p 5 Mbps, 4K 15 Mbps), https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306 (retrieved 2026-10-05); Zoom Support, "Zoom system requirements: bandwidth" (group 1080p video: 3.8 Mbps up, 3.0 Mbps down), https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0060748 (retrieved 2026-10-05)
How it works
Each activity that runs at the same time adds its speed. The rates per stream or call are the services’ own recommendations:
| Activity | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K (Ultra HD) stream | 15 | 0 | Netflix |
| 1080p (full HD) stream | 5 | 0 | Netflix |
| 720p (HD) stream | 3 | 0 | Netflix |
| Group video call, 1080p | 3.0 | 3.8 | Zoom |
download = 15 × 4K + 5 × 1080p + 3 × 720p + 3.0 × calls + other download
upload = 3.8 × calls + other upload
Rules
- Counts are whole numbers from 0 to 100; other download and upload are Mbps from 0 to 100,000.
- With nothing counted the page gives no answer.
- Sums are exact; the speeds are shown to 1 decimal.
- No allowance is added for Wi-Fi loss or busy hours; the answer is what the activities use.
Worked examples by hand
One 4K stream, one 1080p stream, one HD call. Download = 15 + 5 + 3.0 = 23 Mbps. Upload = 3.8 Mbps. 3 streams and calls.
Two 4K streams, three 720p streams, two calls, 10 Mbps of games, 1.5 Mbps of backup. Download = 2 × 15 + 3 × 3 + 2 × 3.0 + 10 = 30 + 9 + 6 + 10 = 55 Mbps. Upload = 2 × 3.8 + 1.5 = 9.1 Mbps. 7 streams and calls.
Other questions people ask
How much internet speed do I need?
Add up what runs at the same time. Netflix recommends 15 Mbps for a 4K stream, 5 Mbps for 1080p and 3 Mbps for 720p; Zoom recommends 3.0 Mbps down and 3.8 Mbps up for a group call in 1080p. One 4K stream, one 1080p stream and one call need 23 Mbps down and 3.8 Mbps up.
What is the difference between download and upload speed?
Download speed is how fast data reaches you: streaming, web pages, downloads. Upload speed is how fast data leaves you: your camera in a video call, cloud backups, live streaming. Many home plans have far less upload than download, so check both.
Should I buy a plan with exactly this speed?
Choose a plan above it. A plan’s speed is a best case: Wi-Fi walls, distance from the router and busy evening hours lower what you get. Run a speed test where you use the internet to see what reaches you.
Do I count devices that are on but not in use?
Only a little. A phone or smart speaker that is idle uses a small share. Count what actually runs at the busiest time of day, and put a few Mbps in "Other download" for background use and updates.
How much speed does online gaming need?
Less than most people expect: playing sends small amounts of data, and what matters most is a low delay (ping). Game downloads and updates are large, though, so put their share in "Other download" if they run while others stream.
What is Mbps?
Megabits per second: a million bits each second. Internet plans and speed tests use it. File sizes are in bytes, and 1 byte is 8 bits, so 8 Mbps moves 1 megabyte a second.