Speed tests help you determine your real internet download speed. Some download speed tests want you to pay a fee to access them but there are yet many others for free.

There are a bunch of download speed tests on the internet these days. Many people have their favorite but make sure your favorite one is an accurate test.

Your results may vary if you run a test more than once on the same connection. This is due to the test measuring how fast a certain amount data can travel across the live Internet and back to your computer. It doesn't measure the theoretical speed (Usually Documented by your ISP) of your connection, but the speed at which your computer receives and transmits data over the Internet.

This fluctuation is uncontrollable due to internet congestion. Whenever you run an Internet speed test, the data could travel over the Internet through one path (this path includes servers, switches and routers) and can be routed through a totally different set of communication equipment or location upon your second test.

You need to test your download speed if you thinks pages are taking too long to load or if you are just curious to know your true download speeds. ISP's limit your connection speeds at certain caps through their QOS (quality of service) file.

Utilizing an online speed test to test your download speed will allow you to monitor your speeds. But don't forget what I said earlier about how the values can differ.

Google the term "internet speed test" to see some popular speed tests.