Ping measures the round-trip time (RTT) – the time it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to a target server and back. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). Ping is also called latency and is a key indicator of network quality and connection speed.
The name comes from sonar technology – like a submarine sending out a ping and listening for the echo. The ping command uses ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) Echo Request/Reply packets.
| Ping | Rating | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| < 20 ms | Excellent | Online gaming, video calls, all applications |
| 20 – 50 ms | Very good | Gaming, streaming, all everyday use |
| 50 – 100 ms | Good | Browsing, video calls, most applications |
| 100 – 200 ms | Acceptable | Browsing, but noticeable lag in games |
| > 200 ms | High | Problematic for real-time applications |
Ping measures the round-trip time of a data packet between two points on a network. Low ping (under 50 ms) means a fast, responsive connection – essential for online gaming and video calls. High ping (over 200 ms) causes noticeable lag. Factors affecting ping include physical distance to the server, network congestion, WiFi quality and ISP routing. Our ping test measures latency from our server in Düsseldorf, Germany.