Network performance issues, like choppy connections and long loading times, can be frustrating. This type of poor performance can be caused by latency, which is the time it takes for data to travel between your device, a network destination, and back.
When you have network issues, you can troubleshoot if latency is causing the problem.
A few key factors about latency are:
- Latency refers specifically to the delays that occur when sharing data via the internet.
- Network type, network congestion, hardware limitations, and physical location can all affect latency times.
- Fiber internet provides the lowest, most consistent latency.
- There are concrete ways to reduce your latency to improve your internet experience.
Lower latency means a more responsive connection. It can be decided by your internet service provider (ISP) and factors within your home.
Understanding network latency gives you a foundation to decide what you need for your online activity. If you’re having connection issues, you can better figure out if latency is the cause, or if there are other factors to explore.
Understanding network latency
Latency is often measured in round-trip time (RTT). It’s the total time it takes for a signal to reach its destination and return to your device. Technically, latency is only one-way, but RTT accounts for the full trip of a signal. The tool that’s used to measure RTT is “ping,” measured in milliseconds.¹
Low latency typically means 3-10 millisecond delays. Ultra-low latency can deliver video in under 500 milliseconds—approximately 0.5 seconds—enabling real-time interaction.² When you have high latency, you notice lags and jitters in your user experience.
What’s a good latency, then? “Low” latency varies by application. For example:
- Online gaming – Low ping amounts below 50ms are considered excellent and contribute to low latency (and, therefore, low lag).³
- Video streaming – Low-latency requirements for video streaming vary by video definition. For example, 4K/UHD (Ultra High Definition) video carries more data. It quadruples the pixel count compared to 1080p HD,4 and benefits from a lower latency than standard definition (SD) video.
Along with speed and bandwidth, network latency is one of the critical factors that determine the quality of your internet experience. There are several things that can affect latency for network performance.
Major causes of latency
Higher latency tends to have root causes. Some latency-related network performance issues can be caused by the connection itself, while other causes can be related to usage.
Network congestion
Congestion can happen during busy times, like evenings, when many people are online at once. If more devices are using the internet than the connection can handle, they all have to share the same bandwidth (the amount of data your connection can carry). This can slow things down because data has to wait its turn instead of moving right away.
This congestion can cause longer loading times and slower service. Sometimes the network gets overloaded, especially if some equipment is older or not working properly.
Distance from servers and streaming sources
How far away a server is can affect your latency. The farther your data has to travel, the longer it can take to get back to you. For example, a nearby server may respond within a few milliseconds, while a server on the other side of the globe might take much longer.
In that long journey, data may travel through multiple networks and connection points along the way. These connection points (often called Internet Exchange Points, or IXPs) can reduce delays because they help networks pass traffic to each other.
You might notice this more in something like cloud gaming, which requires fast, real-time responses. A far-away server may result in higher latency and more lag.
Hardware and network setup
Slow or failing network equipment can increase latency. This can include your home router, modem, or gateway (a combined router and modem), or the equipment used by network servers along the way.
If anything along that journey is overloaded or not working well, latency might increase. Each handoff is a chance for small delays that can add up to more latency.
At any given time, various factors like network congestion, far-away servers, or your home or provider’s equipment can cause high latency. Regardless of the reason, higher latency can seriously affect your online experience.
Impact of high latency on gaming and streaming
If you’ve dealt with high levels of internet latency, you know how frustrating it can be, especially for streaming and gaming. Many everyday tasks, like email, messaging, or checking the weather may still work fine even with higher latency because they don’t need instant responses—like gaming demands.
Latency effects on online gaming
Low latency is a top priority for online gaming. A staggering 78% of gamers have quit in frustration due to high latency during gameplay.5
And with the anticipated exponential growth of cloud gaming, which is expected to pass 50 million users by 2030,6 low latency isn’t just a priority for gamers; it’s table stakes.
Gaming is a great example of how latency works. Your device is constantly sending your actions and receiving updates. Those updates are going from a game server, which is often hosted in the cloud. When the back-and-forth of sending and receiving is delayed, you feel it right away.
Network latency for gaming doesn’t just make it difficult to connect to matches. It can also:
- Make gameplay choppy and cause characters or objects to move in uneven bursts
- Make the game harder to play, leading to mistakes and lost matches
- Cause you to disconnect and drop out of the game altogether
With higher latency, you’re more likely to deal with interruptions, which can be discouraging and can waste the money you’ve spent for gaming.
Latency effects on streaming quality
High latency can also affect streaming. It can slow down the overall experience: how quickly you connect to a streaming server and how fast videos start playing. Even after the video loads, latency can make streaming less reliable.
Streaming with high latency can cause your video to:
- Pause unexpectedly or buffer repeatedly
- Render at lower qualities (appear pixelated or blurry)
- Stop altogether if you lose connectivity with the server
With higher latency, you’re more likely to experience frequent interruptions instead of high-quality videos.
High latency makes streaming and gaming less enjoyable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your latency to get back to streaming your favorite show or run your next gaming mission with your friends.
Targeted solutions to reduce latency
Thankfully, you don’t have to struggle with network latency issues forever. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to make your internet feel more responsive.
Start by optimizing your home network and using the right equipment to make sure your network has the lowest practical latency for your setup.
First, run a speed test to understand your home network’s performance. If you’re experiencing lag, choppy connections, and long loading times, consider taking steps to improve your latency times to enjoy your content more.
Fiber internet
Fiber internet typically offers the lowest, most consistent latency compared to other connection types like cable, DSL, and satellite. The quality of fiber optic cable is an important factor in reducing latency in a network.7 In addition, fiber is high-speed internet.
Optimizing your home network for lower latency
Some network latency issues can be caused by your home internet setup, which includes your Wi-Fi®. The fix may be as simple as moving closer to your router, rebooting your modem/router and devices, or using an Ethernet cable for a more stable, lower-latency connection.
There are other causes for higher latency that you may not be considering. If you have many applications or browser tabs running—especially ones that stream video, auto-refresh, or are doing downloads or updates in the background—they can use up bandwidth. This can make your connection feel less responsive.
Also note that if your internet plan can’t support the number of devices or types of activities you’re using your network for, you may need to upgrade your plan.
Choosing the right equipment
We’ve mentioned that older or outdated equipment can affect latency. Make sure you’re using a modern, high-quality modem or router. Keep the area around it clear of clutter to help Wi-Fi signals travel more effectively.
There are several ways to reduce latency to enjoy your favorite online activities. And if you can’t improve latency with a few tweaks, you can consider a different plan, type of internet, or choose the best internet provider to meet your needs.
Latency is a frustrating, but fixable issue
Because many factors can affect latency, it can happen on any network. The good news is you can often improve latency with the steps we’ve covered, even during peak times.
If you’re still getting choppy videos or laggy games, have a look at your internet type and plan. Fiber is typically more consistent and tends to deliver lower latency than many cable, DSL, or satellite options.
If fiber internet is available in your area or you’re already on fiber, look at the plan you’re using—you may need to upgrade.
AT&T Fiber® received Ookla’s first-ever Best Home Internet award. AT&T Fiber also has the fastest speeds in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive time.8 If you need internet for gaming and want speed and reliability, you’ve come to the right place.
All our fiber plans include AT&T All-Fi® for complete Wi-Fi coverage and speeds up to 5 GIG.9 Check out our AT&T All-Fi® Pro as an option for the latest Wi-Fi standard—Wi-Fi 7—as well as our equipment upgrade program to make sure you have the latest technology when available.
Choose to have an online experience with the low latency and high speeds you deserve.
¹ “What is RTT in Networking?”, AWS, Accessed March 11, 2026, https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/rtt-in-networking/.
² Usama Tahseen, “Ultra Low Latency Video Streaming: Use cases & Guide 2026,” Ant Media, January 22, 2026, https://antmedia.io/ultra-low-latency-video-streaming/.
³ “Edgegap Learner ESeries: What is latency in gaming?”, Edgegap, Accessed March 11, 2026, https://edgegap.com/blog/edgegap-learner-series-what-is-latency-in-gaming.
4 “How Dolby Vision Optimizes 4K Broadcasts in Live Sports,” Eureka by patsnap, July 30, 2025, https://eureka.patsnap.com/report-how-dolby-vision-optimizes-4k-broadcasts-in-live-sports.
5 “Game Over: 78% of Gamers Rage Quit Due to Lag, Says Liquid Web Study,” Yahoo! Finance, May 1, 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/game-over-78-gamers-rage-222500607.html.
6 “How Platforms Are Colliding and Why This Will Spark the Next Era of Growth: Video Gaming Report 2026,” BGC, December 9, 2025, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/video-gaming-report-2026-next-era-of-growth.
7 IR Team, “Network Latency – Common Causes and Best Solutions,” IR, Accessed March 11, 2026, https://www.ir.com/guides/what-is-network-latency.
8 Top-rated & Fastest Internet, AT&T Fiber: based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data, 2H 2025.
9 Limited availability. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds vary. For 5 Gig, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info., visit att.com/speed101.
