What Internet Speed Do I Need for Netflix? (2024)

FAQs

What Internet Speed Do I Need for Netflix? ›

Netflix recommended minimum speed for optimal streaming quality. Netflix recommends a minimum speed of 3 Mbps for SD quality (standard definition) and 5 Mbps for HD quality (high definition). However, if you're watching in Ultra HD, or 4K, then Netflix recommends a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps.

The minimum required speed for streaming Netflix is 3 Mbps for SD (standard definition) video quality. Netflix recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD quality and 15 Mbps for Ultra HD or 4K quality.

A 100 Mbps speed will work for streaming HD and 4K content. Streaming platforms like Netflix require 5 Mbps for HD videos and 15 Mbps for 4K videos. A 100 Mbps internet connection will allow you and another person in your home to stream: HD and 4K video content.

Typically a slow or unreliable Wi-Fi network in the home can be the cause of video buffering on streaming devices. One way to avoid this is to make sure your home network maintains consistent minimum speeds. Your network should have a download speed of around 25-30 Mbps to reduce or even avoid buffering.

5G home internet commonly gives you speeds around 100–300 Mbps. But 5G internet speeds can reach up to 1,000 Mbps, depending on the plan and quality of cell service in your area.

A good download speed is at least 100Mbps, and a good upload speed is at least 10 Mbps. With 100Mbps, you can stream movies, attend Zoom meetings, and play games online all on several devices at the same time.

With 300Mbps, you can stream ultra-HD video on up to a dozen devices at the same time. If you're downloading them instead, it'll take you about two minutes to download an HD movie.

According to the FCC, a good internet speed varies for households connecting multiple devices to the internet at once. Download speeds of at least 25 Mbps for two connected devices with moderate to heavy internet use should suffice, but at least 100 Mbps download speed would be better for three or more devices.

For most households with three or four people living together, a 300 Mbps internet download is enough for the various uses ranging from online gaming, streaming, and general browsing. According to the Tech21Centry website, 300 Mbps can download a 5-Gigabyte movie file in only 2.2 minutes.

Recommended Internet Speed

You'll need at least 4-8 Mbps of Internet speed to watch pre-recorded shows and movies, and 10 Mbps or more to stream live TV. 4K streaming requires speeds around 20 Mbps per user. So if three people in your home are streaming 4K video, you'll want a minimum Internet connection of 60 Mbps.

What is the average internet speed? ›

The FCC defines “basic” internet speed as between 3 and 8 Mbps, generally considered a slow speed. The average internet speed in the U.S. was 219 Mbps download and 24 Mbps upload as of November 2023, according to Speedtest.net.

It usually means that a network connectivity issue is stopping your device from reaching Netflix.

The longer the film, the more data you use. The resolution you use also affects the amount of data you use. According to Netflix, you use about 1GB of data per hour for streaming a TV show or movie in standard definition and up to 3GB of data per hour when streaming HD video.

If you plan on streaming 4K video content and have multiple devices connected to your network at the same time, you should seriously consider investing in a plan that can provide faster download speeds, such as 200 Mbps. This speed should work for more data-hungry households.

50Mbps is usually fast enough for Netflix, but if there are multiple people in your home attempting to use it at once, there may be interruptions. You will likely not have access to HD or 4K streaming if there are multiple users.

With a speed of 12/1 Mbps, your home can handle up to two simultaneous Netflix streams at a time. Netflix requires 5 Mbps per stream on HD video quality. If you have a home with 3 people trying to watch a stream, then you need 15 Mbps to do that, if this is the case in your home then it's time for an upgrade.