We often use the phrase "the Wi-Fi's slow today" while referring to an underperforming network speed at home or the office. Technically speaking, this is misleading. Generally, there's a lot of misconception regarding the correct meaning of different network performance metrics such as bandwidth, speed, and throughput, and we're here to put that right.

Network Bandwidth vs. Speed: What's the Difference?

Network bandwidth is closely related to network speed, but they are entirely different network performance metrics.

The internet speed your Internet Service Provider (ISP) mentions on your plan refers to how your device can transfer to or download data from the internet. In other words, network speed is the maximum possible data transfer rate and is usually measured in Kilobits per second (Kbps) or Megabits per second (Mbps).

screenshot of Speedtest by Ookla using a fiber connection

On the other hand, network bandwidth is the amount of data that can be downloaded or uploaded per second. You can even think of it as the network capacity. Some devices may consume more network bandwidth than others, so even if you're on the same network, you may experience a slower network connection.

What Is Network Throughput?

While network bandwidth and speed are theoretical concepts to measure network performance, throughput is the amount of data successfully processed and transmitted through the network.

Throughput differs from network bandwidth as it also accounts for packets lost in transit. Organizations typically measure average throughput to determine the real-time performance of their network. Network throughput is measured in bits per second or kilobits per second.

Bandwidth vs. Speed vs. Throughput

Network bandwidth is a theoretical concept determining the maximum amount of data your device can transfer over a connection. On the other hand, network speed is the maximum data transfer rate. You can think of network throughput as the amount of data successfully transmitted over a connection.