Resource

Ping vs jitter explained

Your SwiftSpeedTest results highlight ping and jitter alongside Mbps. Here-s how to interpret both metrics and bring them under control.

What is ping?

  • Ping (latency) measures the round-trip time for a packet. Lower is better-aim for under 30 ms for gaming and calls.
  • High ping leads to delayed actions, buffering, and robotic audio.

What is jitter?

  • Jitter is the variation in packet arrival time. Keep it under 10 ms to avoid choppy video or rubber-banding.
  • High jitter usually signals Wi-Fi interference, congested routing, or aging hardware.

How to stabilize both

  • Switch to Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6, reduce distance from the router, and avoid microwave/cordless phone interference.
  • Restart your modem/router monthly and ask your ISP about routing issues if latency spikes persist.
  • Use SwiftSpeedTest to compare results at different times of day.