In technical terms, jitter is measured as the difference in milliseconds (ms) between the arrival times of consecutive packets of data. A lower jitter value indicates a more stable and consistent internet connection, while a higher value indicates a more variable and potentially problematic connection.
In networking terms, data is sent in "packets." Ideally, these packets arrive in a steady stream with equal spacing between them. It is effectively "ping instability."
When you look at the jitter result on your next speed test, use this scale to judge the quality of your connection: speed test jitter
Poor. This will cause significant distortion in voice calls and "rubber-banding" in online games. How Jitter Affects Your Online Experience
Your speed test shows an "A," but your jitter is 50ms. That "A" is a lie. In technical terms, jitter is measured as the
These activities use buffering . If packets arrive out of order or with delays, your device stores them ahead of time. High jitter might cause a video to take a few extra seconds to start (buffering), but once it starts, the buffer covers up the inconsistencies.
Imagine you send three packets of data to a game server. Packet A takes 20ms to arrive. Packet B takes 25ms. Packet C takes 120ms. That inconsistency (a 100ms spike) is jitter. It is effectively "ping instability
When running a speed test, you want your jitter number to be as low as possible. Excellent. You likely won't notice any issues.