Ookla Resources: Guides
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
We’re planning to bring video testing to many more platforms. To keep track of updates on new products, you can follow us on X (Twitter), on Facebook, and Instagram.
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Our video test plays a short clip and measures a variety of metrics to determine the quality of your video streaming experience.
Taking a video test will give you valuable information about the video streaming experience you can expect, including recommendations for which devices will work best for video on your network.
Use the report at the end of the video test to understand whether your network is giving you the expected video quality playback, and to discover which devices would be optimal given the maximum resolution supported by your network.
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Video testing gives you a convenient, easy to use way to better understand your complex network experience including:
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
These are the types of devices that generally work well with each level of maximum resolution:
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Your results history is where all your previous test data lives. It can be found in the upper right menu within the app. At the top of the Results screen, you have the option to view your Speedtest results or switch to Video to see your Video testing history.
We list all your results in table form, where you can sort by Date, Maximum Resolution, or Load Time. Above the table you can select the share button to receive an emailed CSV export containing all of your results. You can also click on an individual result to see the details of a specific video test, including the buffering percentage, device and network information, and user location.
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Your results will indicate what resolution of video can successfully stream on your network. If we find that the video streaming quality meets or exceeds the resolution supported by your device and you are still unable to stream your video, you will have the option to continue on to Downdetector to see what services are currently experiencing any issues.
If we determine your network cannot successfully stream the maximum resolution supported by your device, you most likely have a network problem. Taking a Speedtest will let you know whether you’re getting lower than expected network bandwidth needed to stream your video.
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Buffering is a pause in video playback that is usually caused by network connection issues. Your video experience will suffer with high buffering percentages.
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Load time tells you how long it takes a video to begin from the time you hit play. Longer load times are often due to a slow network.
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Maximum resolution indicates the greatest video resolution your network can support. Higher resolution videos provide higher image fidelity, but require better network quality to stream. Playing video at a resolution higher than your device’s screen resolution does not improve the quality of the content.
Last Updated | March, 30 2026
Most live and on-demand video services deliver content via adaptive bitrate streaming. This technology attempts to play the highest quality video your device and network can support, while minimize buffering and load time.