▾Are lag and high ping ruining your online gaming experience? Find out what internet speed is really needed for a smooth gaming experience and how to optimize your connection. We'll reveal tips on router settings, the impact of latency on different game genres, and other useful advice to help you become the master of virtual battlefields.
Online gaming is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the digital world. Whether you play on a console, computer, or mobile device, the key to a smooth experience is a stable and fast internet connection. However, you should also pay attention to latency. Ensure a full-fledged gaming experience with us under any circumstances.
Recommended internet speed for online gaming
You don't always need a gigabit connection for smooth online gaming. While higher speeds are beneficial especially when downloading large game files or streaming in 4K resolution, you can get by with less while gaming.
Most providers and experts recommend the following minimum speeds:
- For single-player games – at least 3 Mbps for download and 1 Mbps for upload,
- For multiplayer games – at least 5 Mbps for download and 3 Mbps for upload.
Higher connection speed obviously improves the gaming experience by allowing faster download of updates and minimizing outages. For a consistent experience in popular games like "Call of Duty" or "Fortnite," your connection should reach at least 15–25 Mbps.
The impact of latency on the gaming experience
Latency, often referred to as ping, measures the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the game server and back. Latency is measured in milliseconds (ms) and directly affects how quickly your actions in the game respond to server inputs.
Lower latency means a smoother gaming experience, while higher values can cause delayed responses and lag.
Recommended latency values for different game types:
- Up to 20 ms – ideal for competitive games (e.g., shooters, racing simulators),
- 20–50 ms – acceptable for most game genres,
- 50–100 ms – may cause slight delays in reactions, noticeable especially in fast-paced games,
- Over 100 ms – problematic values that can significantly deteriorate the gaming experience.
Latency can be influenced by various factors, such as connection quality, distance from game servers, and network congestion. When choosing an internet service provider, you should consider not only speed but also connection stability and the level of latency the provider offers.
Tips for setting up your router for online gaming
Router settings can play a crucial role in optimizing your gaming network. Even if you have a fast connection, an improperly configured router can cause high latency, lag, or outages.
Therefore, we've prepared a few tips on how to optimize your router settings for smooth gaming:
- Firmware update – Keeping your router up to date ensures that you have all the latest fixes and improvements for optimal performance.
- Wired connection – For the best performance when gaming online, always prefer a wired connection (Ethernet) over Wi-Fi. A wired connection offers a more stable signal and lower latency.
- QoS (Quality of Service) – Many modern routers offer a QoS feature, which allows you to prioritize traffic for a specific device or application, ideal for online games. With QoS, you ensure that your gaming traffic has priority over other activities on the home network, such as video streaming or downloading large files.
- Dedicated gaming channel – If you use Wi-Fi, choose a less congested channel. In busy areas (e.g., apartment buildings), some Wi-Fi channels can be overloaded, increasing latency. Using a Wi-Fi signal analysis tool will help you find the best channel.
- Router placement – Placing the router in the center of your home or near the gaming device ensures better signal. Avoid placing the router behind thick walls or in closed cabinets, which can hinder signal propagation.
- Disable unnecessary services – Your router may have various active services, such as VPN or firewall, that can slow down the connection. Consider turning them off while gaming.
To have the best gaming experience, it's important to have the network set up correctly. Monitor not only download and upload speeds but also latency, which can significantly affect game smoothness. A properly configured router, prioritization of gaming traffic, and a stable connection will ensure the best conditions for online gaming.
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