Select the activities that will run together.
Data & storage
Internet Speed Requirement Calculator
Tick what everyone at home does online, say how many people, and get the Mbps you should look for in a plan.
Short answer: add up what each person does at the same time, multiply by the number of people, then add 25% as headroom. That is the speed you should look for in a plan.
How the numbers are set
Each activity has a typical need: HD streaming 5 Mbps, 4K 25 Mbps, a video call 3 Mbps, gaming 3 Mbps, cloud backup 10 Mbps and so on. The calculator adds the ticked ones for one person, multiplies by the number of people, and adds the safety margin. It then points you to the nearest common plan size, such as 50, 100 or 300 Mbps.
Example
Two people, each streaming HD (5) and on a video call (3) at the same time, need 8 Mbps each, so 16 Mbps. With 25% headroom the answer is 20 Mbps and a 25 Mbps plan will do. Switch one stream to 4K and you are at 40 Mbps with headroom.
Do not forget upload
Calls, cloud backups and streaming out all depend on upload speed. Check the upload figure on any plan you are considering, because many cable plans are much lower than the download number.
Should you buy more than you need?
A little. Going one size up gives you cover for Wi-Fi losses and guests, but a gigabit plan for two people who browse and stream HD is money wasted. Check how that speed actually spreads over devices with the Wi-Fi Speed Calculator.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Internet Speed Requirement Calculator
How much internet speed do I need for a family of four?
100 Mbps suits most families. Add more if several people stream 4K or work from home with large files.
How much speed does Netflix need?
About 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K per stream.
Is 50 Mbps enough for working from home?
For one or two people, yes. Video calls need around 3 Mbps each, so 50 Mbps leaves space for streaming too.
Why add 25% headroom?
Real speeds are usually lower than the plan, especially over Wi-Fi. Headroom prevents buffering when activity overlaps.
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Use this toolResults are estimates for planning. Last reviewed 2 October 2026.