What are latency and jitter on broadband?
Who this page is for
Anyone who sees ms figures on a test and wants to know how they relate to gaming, video calls, and general browsing feel.
Plain-English definitions
- Latency (often shown as ping)
- Round-trip delay in milliseconds. Higher values can make interactions feel sluggish.
- Jitter
- Variation in latency over a short period. High jitter can disrupt real-time audio and video.
Why Mbps is not enough
A high download speed with very high latency can still feel awkward on calls or fast-paced games. That is why Pulse shows latency and jitter next to Mbps.
Typical use
- Video calls: stable latency and low jitter help more than small Mbps changes once baseline speed is adequate.
- Gaming: latency and stability matter for responsiveness; downloads matter for patches.
What to do next
Run Pulse, note all three numbers, then read the gaming and video call guides linked below if one number looks out of line.
Pulse measures download speed, latency, and jitter in your browser. It does not measure upload speed. For upload, use your provider’s tests or see our upload scope guide.
Compare broadband deals when your line is too small for what you do: BroadbandSwitch.uk, SearchSwitchSave.com, FibreSwitch.com.
UK rights and switching: start with Ofcom’s broadband guidance for personalised speed estimates, switching, and complaints.
Example scenario
Download is 100 Mbps but jitter spikes during evening tests. Voice calls stutter. You move the laptop to Ethernet and place the router more centrally, which steadies jitter before you switch provider.
FAQ
What is a good latency number?
It depends on route and server. Compare your own results over time on the same test setup rather than chasing a single universal figure.
Can Wi-Fi increase jitter?
Yes. Congested Wi-Fi airtime often raises jitter compared with Ethernet.
Which number matters more for gaming, Mbps or latency?
Once download is sufficient for the game, latency and stability usually matter more for responsiveness than small Mbps changes.
Can jitter affect voice calls even if Mbps looks fine?
Yes. Variable delay disrupts real-time audio and video, even when average speed looks high.
Will full fibre remove jitter completely?
It can help, but Wi-Fi, home wiring, and busy devices still cause variation. Test the path you actually use.
Is latency the same as “ping” on my game?
They are closely related ideas. Games often show a ping-style figure; Pulse reports latency and jitter for your browser test path.
Related guides
- What ping do I need for online gaming in the UK?
- Why is my video call quality poor on broadband?
- Should I use Wi-Fi or Ethernet for a broadband speed test?