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What is bandwidth?

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Quick answer

Bandwidth is how much data your internet connection can carry per second — like the width of a pipe. More bandwidth means more data flows at once, so pages load faster and videos stream without buffering. It's usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

Key things to understand

  1. How much data a connection carries per second.
  2. Like the width of a pipe for data.
  3. Measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  4. More bandwidth = faster loads, less buffering.

People also ask

Is bandwidth the same as speed?
Closely related — bandwidth is the maximum capacity; actual speed can be lower due to congestion, distance, or your device.
What's the difference between bandwidth and latency?
Bandwidth is how much data flows at once; latency is the delay before it starts arriving. Both shape how fast things feel.
How much bandwidth do I need?
Browsing needs little; HD streaming ~5 Mbps, 4K ~25 Mbps, and more if several people share the connection.

Part of the guide: How the Internet Works →