Internet Speed for Streaming: What You Actually Need

Internet providers love throwing around big speed numbers, but streaming doesn't actually need most of that bandwidth per device. What matters is the speed available per stream, at the same time other things are happening on your network.

Rough speed guidelines by resolution

• Standard definition: around 3 Mbps per stream
• High definition (1080p): around 5–8 Mbps per stream
• 4K: around 25 Mbps or more per stream

These are per-stream figures. If two devices are streaming in your household at once, add the numbers together rather than assuming one connection covers everything.

Why your real-world speed is often lower than advertised

Wi-Fi signal strength, distance from the router, and other devices sharing the network all reduce the speed that actually reaches your streaming device. See our guide on Wi-Fi vs Ethernet for streaming if you're chasing a more stable connection.

How to check where you stand

Run a speed test on the same device and network you stream with, not just your phone on Wi-Fi in another room. Our guide on testing your internet speed before streaming covers this in more detail.

Once your connection is in good shape, matching a plan to your household is mostly about device count — see our guide on matching a plan to your household or compare tiers on the Subscription page.