Jitter is the variation in latency (ping) between data packets, measured in milliseconds (ms). If your ping is a steady 20 ms, jitter is low and your connection feels consistent. If the round-trip time bounces between 20 ms and 120 ms, jitter is high — and that inconsistency is what causes lag spikes, frozen video, and robotic audio on calls.
How jitter is measured
A speed test sends several packets and records each one's round-trip time. Jitter is the average difference between those consecutive measurements. Our test reports jitter alongside ping every time you run it — try a free speed test to see yours.
Why jitter matters
- Video calls — high jitter causes frozen frames and dropped audio (Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp).
- Online gaming — inconsistent latency causes rubber- banding and missed inputs even if average ping looks fine.
- Live streaming — buffering and quality drops.
How to reduce jitter
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi.
- Reduce the number of devices competing for bandwidth.
- Place your router centrally and away from interference.
- Enable QoS (Quality of Service) on your router to prioritise calls and games. See our speed improvement guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good jitter value?
Under 5 ms is excellent and ideal for gaming and video calls. 5–20 ms is generally fine for everyday use. Above 30 ms you may notice stutter, lag spikes, or choppy audio/video.
What is the difference between ping and jitter?
Ping (latency) is how long one round trip takes. Jitter is how much that time varies between consecutive round trips. Low ping with high jitter still feels unstable, so both matter.
What causes high jitter?
Network congestion, Wi-Fi interference, overloaded routers, weak signal, and shared connections at peak times. A wired Ethernet connection usually reduces jitter significantly.
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