Starlink Speed Test: How to Run One and What Speeds Are Normal in 2026
Short answer
To run a Starlink speed test, open the Starlink app and tap Speed Test, which measures both the Wi-Fi to your phone and the satellite link. Then repeat with Speedtest by Ookla or fast.com on a device close to the router. In 2026 typical US results are about 100–200 Mbps down, 15–30 Mbps up and 25–60 ms latency.
Key takeaways
- Use the Starlink app’s speed test first: it separates Wi-Fi speed from Starlink speed.
- Test close to the router, ideally over Ethernet, to rule out weak Wi-Fi.
- Normal 2026 results: roughly 100–200 Mbps down, 15–30 Mbps up, 25–60 ms latency.
- Test at several times of day; evening results are often lower in busy areas.
- Most slow results come from obstructions, weak Wi-Fi or plan limits, not a faulty dish.
How do I run a Starlink speed test?
Open the Starlink app, connect to your Starlink Wi-Fi and tap Speed Test on the home screen. The app shows two results: the speed between your phone and the router, and the speed between the router and the internet. If the second number is good and the first is poor, your problem is Wi-Fi, not Starlink.
Then run a second test on a laptop near the router using Speedtest by Ookla or fast.com. For the most accurate number, plug the laptop into the router with an Ethernet cable.
What Starlink speeds are normal in 2026?
Ookla reported a 2025 US median of about 118 Mbps download and 17 Mbps upload for Starlink, and medians above 100 Mbps in every state except Alaska in the second half of 2025.
| Measure | Typical range | Concern if |
|---|---|---|
| Download | 100–200 Mbps | Under 25 Mbps for long periods |
| Upload | 15–30 Mbps | Under 5 Mbps |
| Latency (ping) | 25–60 ms | Over 100 ms consistently |
Plan limits matter: Residential 100 Mbps caps download near 100 Mbps, and Roam 100GB drops below 1 Mbps after the data allowance is used.
Why is my Starlink speed test slow?
Obstructions: trees, roofs or poles in the dish’s view cause drops. Use the app’s obstruction check and move the dish.
Weak Wi-Fi: walls and distance slow the device, even when the satellite link is fast.
Busy times: evening traffic and deprioritized plans reduce speeds.
Data allowance: check usage in the app if you’re on a capped Roam plan.
Too many devices: big downloads and backups on other devices eat bandwidth.
Our older post on Starlink rental speed tips has more fixes.
How do I test Starlink properly for an event or job site?
Run a test where the kit will really be used, at about the same time of day as the event. Test from the far side of the area your guests or crew will use, not just next to the router. If you’ll livestream, note the upload speed: a 1080p stream usually needs a steady 5–10 Mbps up, so leave headroom.
If results are borderline, add a mesh router near the crowd or split the load across two kits. Our event bandwidth guide helps you size it.
Our recommendation
Want to know what Starlink will do at your site before an event or a move? Rent a kit for a few days and run these tests where it matters. If the numbers look borderline, we’ll help you plan extra kits or mesh routers.
Reserve a Starlink kitAsk us a questionDoes weather affect Starlink speed tests?
Heavy rain and wet snow can reduce speeds briefly, and the dish heats itself to melt snow. Normal clouds have little effect. If a test is poor during a storm, re-test when it clears before changing your setup.
FAQs
What is a good Starlink speed?
Anything above 50 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up handles video calls and streaming for a small group. The typical US user gets around 100 Mbps or more.
Why is Starlink upload slow?
Upload is always lower than download on Starlink. Results under 5 Mbps usually point to obstructions, congestion or weak Wi-Fi.
Can I run a speed test without the app?
Yes, use Speedtest by Ookla or fast.com. The app is still useful because it separates Wi-Fi and satellite speeds.
Why are evening speeds lower?
More people are online in the evening, so busy cells share capacity. Deprioritized plans feel this most.
Is ping more important than speed?
For video calls and gaming, stable latency under about 60 ms matters as much as raw download speed.
Need Starlink for a few days or a few weeks?
Rent from $20/day. Pick up in American Fork, UT, or have it shipped anywhere in the US in a protective hard case.
Check availabilityMulti-kit & event quotesMore guides
Sources
- Telecompetitor: Ookla 2025 Starlink median speeds
- Benton Institute summary of Ookla Starlink data, 2H 2025
- DishyTech: Roam 50GB becomes Roam 100GB (Jan 2026)
Prices, plans and speeds are as reported in October 2026 and change often; check starlink.com before you buy. Starlink® is a trademark of SpaceX. Star Surf is an independent rental company and is not affiliated with Starlink or SpaceX.