What is good latency?

Short answer: for most UK households, lower is better. Under 20 ms feels very responsive, while higher values can make calls and gaming feel delayed.

Practical latency ranges

• Under 20 ms: excellent for gaming, calls and fast interactions.
• 20 to 40 ms: good for most homes and everyday use.
• 40 to 70 ms: usable, but less responsive in real-time tasks.
• Over 70 ms: delays become more noticeable.

Why latency can still feel poor on a fast line

High download speed does not guarantee low latency. Wi-Fi interference, background traffic and peak-time demand can all increase response delay even when throughput looks acceptable.

What to do if latency is high

Retest at different times and compare wired vs Wi-Fi results. Then follow our troubleshooting checklist before deciding whether to compare broadband deals.

Next: understand jitter and how stability affects perceived quality.