Why latency matters more than Mbps for gaming and video calls
In short: Headline speed (Mbps) tells you how much data can flow. For real-time applications—gaming, video calls, VoIP—how quickly each packet gets there (latency) and how consistent that delay is (jitter) often matter more. A 30 Mbps connection with low latency can feel better for calls and games than 300 Mbps with high latency. Full fibre and a good home network usually help.
What is latency?
Latency is the time it takes for data to go from your device to a server and back (often measured as “ping” in ms). Low latency means snappy response; high latency means delay. For streaming a film, a bit of delay doesn’t matter. For a video call or an online game, it does.
Why it matters for gaming
In games, your actions (e.g. a click or button press) need to reach the server quickly, and the game state needs to come back. High latency adds lag—you see things later than they happened. Competitive and fast-paced games are especially sensitive. Many gamers aim for under 50 ms, ideally lower, to a nearby server.
Why it matters for video calls
Video calls send and receive audio and video in real time. High latency causes delay in conversation; high jitter (variation in delay) can cause stutter and dropouts. Upload latency matters as much as download—your video has to get to the other person quickly. Severe packet loss shows up as frozen frames or robotic audio even when Mbps looks fine.
What affects latency?
Distance to the server, the technology of your connection (full fibre often has lower latency than FTTC or cable in practice), and your home network (Wi‑Fi, router, other traffic). Wired connections and a well-placed router help. So does closing other heavy traffic when you game or call.
How to check latency
Use a tool that measures latency and jitter, not just download speed. Laggy.uk is built for that. Run it when you’re about to game or call to see your typical numbers.