Short answer: In the US, the median Starlink user measured about 127 Mbps download, 21 Mbps upload and 39 ms latency in the first quarter of 2026, according to Ookla’s Speedtest data. Your own speed depends mostly on your plan (Residential 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps cap downloads at those speeds), how busy the network is in your area, and whether the dish has a clear view of the sky.
Last checked October 16, 2026.
Measured speeds vs plan limits
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| Measure | Ookla US median, Q1 2026 | Plan limit |
|---|---|---|
| Download | 127.39 Mbps | 100 or 200 Mbps on Residential 100 and 200; Residential Max gets “maximum available speeds” |
| Upload | 21.46 Mbps | Not stated |
| Latency | 39 ms | Not stated |
Sources: Ookla: Starlink Hits New Highs in the U.S. (May 5, 2026); Starlink: Service Plans
For Roam plans, Starlink advertises “up to 300+ Mbps” and adds that speeds are maximums, aren’t guaranteed and “will be slower during times of congestion.” See our Roam plans guide.
Why your number differs from the median
- Your plan: Residential 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps are limited to those download speeds, and Starlink says Residential Max gets top Residential network priority.
- Congestion: Starlink says speeds are slower when the network is busy, so evenings can look different from mornings.
- Obstructions: trees and roofs in the dish’s view cause dropouts. Our obstruction map guide shows how to check.
- Where you live: Ookla found Hawaii’s median latency stayed high, 109 ms in the second half of 2025, because data travels a long way to a ground station and data center.
- Your home network: Wi-Fi to a far-off room can be slower than the Starlink link itself. See our router guide and mesh Wi-Fi guide.
How to test it properly
Run a test on a wired connection if you can, which takes Wi-Fi out of the picture; our Ethernet adapter guide covers how to connect one. Then run the same test over Wi-Fi from where you actually work. Test at a few different times of day, since congestion changes, and compare the results rather than relying on one run.
How speeds have changed
Ookla’s report shows clear gains. In the second half of 2025, Starlink users in every state except Alaska had median downloads of 100 Mbps or more, up from 23 states a year earlier. 44.7% of Starlink Speedtest users met the FCC benchmark in Q4 2025 (100 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up), up from 17.4% in Q1 2025. In the second half of 2025, Nebraska had the fastest median download, 200.80 Mbps, and the top median upload, 24.94 Mbps.
Upload speed is the weak spot
A 21 Mbps median upload is fine for video calls but slow for uploading large video files. That’s also why only 44.7% of Starlink Speedtest users met the FCC benchmark in Q4 2025: it requires 20 Mbps up as well as 100 Mbps down.
Latency
A 39 ms median is low enough for video calls and most online games. Ookla counted 10 states with median latency under 40 ms in the second half of 2025, up from one a year before. Gamers can find more in our Starlink gaming guide.
Starlink vs Hughesnet and Viasat
In Q1 2026, Ookla measured Hughesnet at 48.55 Mbps down, 4.10 Mbps up and 674 ms latency, and Viasat at 41.05 Mbps down, 0.95 Mbps up and 750 ms. Starlink’s medians were well ahead on all three.
If yours is slow
Check for an outage first with our is Starlink down guide, then look at the obstruction map, then test wired. If it’s still slow, contact Starlink support from the app.
FAQ
How can I test my Starlink speed?
Use a speed test on a wired device first, then over Wi-Fi, at a few times of day.
Is Starlink good for gaming?
Ookla’s 39 ms US median is low for satellite internet. See our gaming guide for details.
What’s the downside?
Upload speed is modest, speeds drop when the network is busy, and the dish needs a clear view of the sky.