How to use the ping test
- Choose a target server from the dropdown.
- Press "Run test".
- Read the HTTP status and the response time in milliseconds.
- Run the test again to compare, or pick another server.
What this test actually measures
This is an HTTP latency test, not a traditional ICMP ping. A classic ping sends a tiny echo packet and waits for a reply, but many networks and servers now block or ignore those packets. Instead, this tool asks the server for a small HTTP response and measures how long the full round trip takes.
Because it uses ordinary web traffic, the result reflects what your browsing connection really experiences. That makes it more representative of day-to-day use than a raw packet ping, even though the number is reported in the same familiar unit — milliseconds.
How to read the numbers
The response time is the round-trip delay between the test and the target server. Lower is better: a result under about 50 milliseconds feels instant, while a result above 200 milliseconds is usually noticeable on a video call or in an online game. The HTTP status line confirms the server answered correctly, so you can tell a slow-but-healthy response apart from a connection that failed outright.
Bear in mind that latency depends on physical distance and routing, not just your internet plan. A server in another country will always take longer to reach than one nearby, even on a fast connection.
When to run a latency test
- Checking whether lag in a game or call is your connection or the service.
- Comparing two servers to see which is closer to you.
- Confirming that a previously slow service has recovered.
- Getting a baseline number before contacting your internet provider about speed issues.
Latency is not the same as bandwidth
Latency is the delay before data starts arriving, while bandwidth is how much data can flow per second. A connection can have plenty of bandwidth but still feel slow if latency is high, because every request waits a round trip before anything moves. This matters most for interactive tasks — video calls, online games and remote desktops — where a snappy response beats raw throughput. For raw download speed, use our Internet Speed Test instead, which measures how fast data actually flows.