How Much Speed Do I Need to Stream Video?
May 10, 2024 | Share 
FAQ, Internet Speed Guides, Streaming Guides
If you don’t remember the last time you hooked up your TV to an antenna, you’re not alone. Streaming video is just the norm now for most folks. But it’s also one of the most bandwidth-intensive—and frequent—activities we do online. Nowadays it’s not uncommon for kids to be streaming Spy Kids on their iPads downstairs while their parents are upstairs watching Suits, or to have your roommate binge-watching Black Sails while you’re watching live sports.
How can your internet connection keep up? We’ll help you figure it out. When looking at the recommended speeds for each platform below, make sure to add up all the different services that could be running at the same time. And don’t forget to budget a few Mbps for people who might be trying to work while everyone else is streaming.
How much speed do you need for your streaming service?
Test and track your internet speed on your phone
Before we get started, downloading our free and easy-to-use speed test app will give you quick and reliable results from your phone.
Before we get started, you may want to test your internet speed first so you can compare it to the recommended speeds.
What do I need to stream video?
With everyone spending more time at home over the last few years, streaming video services like Netflix and Disney+ have become a ubiquitous part of life. If you’re a cable TV customer thinking about cutting the cord once and for all, this is the place to start.
The first thing you need is a good internet connection. That not only means an internet plan that can meet the basic speed requirements, but also one that’s not going to run out of data. Streaming video is one of the most data-intensive things you can do online, so look for a service that has a high data cap or, preferably, an internet plan with unlimited data.
The next thing you need is a streaming service. Most services provide TV shows and movies on demand, but there are also some—like YouTube TV—that offer live TV channels, just like cable TV. Many of these services offer free trials, and some—like Crackle and YouTube—are completely free. Instead of charging you for a subscription, their revenue comes from ads.
If you don’t know which service to sign up for, try a few and see which ones have the content you’re looking for. If you’re looking for more information check out these other articles:
How much speed you need for Netflix
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Min. requirements | 0.5Mbps |
| Recommended speed | 1.5Mbps |
| SD streaming | 3Mbps |
| HD streaming | 5Mbps |
| Ultra HD streaming | 25Mbps |
Netflix has clear recommendations for speed based on the quality of video you want. Just know that the speeds listed are for streaming on a single device, so if multiple devices on your network are watching Netflix at the same time, you need enough speed to handle all those streams at once.
How much speed you need for Apple TV+
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| HD streaming | 5Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25Mbps |
Apple doesn’t give official requirements for download speeds on its Apple TV+ streaming service. Like most streaming services, it will adjust the quality of the video automatically to match your download speed; however, users have measured the bitrate of a 4K stream at around 29 Mbps.
We recommend speeds of at least a 25Mbps if you want to watch in 4K quality. The quality of video available for Apple TV+ or for movies rented or purchased through the Apple TV app can also vary a lot depending on the device you’re using to stream. To take full advantage of all the features Apple offers—4K HDR video with Dolby Atmos sound—you’ll need an Apple TV 4K as well as a broadband connection of at least 25Mbps.
How much speed you need for Hulu
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Min. for Hulu streaming library | 3Mbps |
| Min. for livestreams | 8Mbps |
| Min. for 4K content | 16Mbps |
Hulu’s speed recommendations are based on picture quality and the type of content you’re watching. Similar to other streaming providers, Hulu automatically adjusts the video quality based on internet speed. It also recommends higher speeds for live content than library content. These recommendations are also the bare minimum, so we suggest a slightly faster connection to make sure you always get the video quality you want.
How much speed you need for Amazon Prime Video
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| SD streaming | 1Mbps |
| HD streaming | 5Mbps |
Like many services, Amazon automatically adjusts the quality of your videos to serve you the highest quality picture possible based on your speed. It doesn’t have much in the way of speed recommendations, but it does warn that even if you’re watching on a supported device, you may experience issues below a certain connection speed. Since these are minimum requirements, we would recommend having a faster connection if possible.
How much speed you need for YouTube
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| SD 360p streaming | 0.7Mbps |
| SD 480p streaming | 1.1Mbps |
| HD 720p streaming | 2.5Mbps |
| HD 1080p streaming | 5Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 20Mbps |
Like Netflix, YouTube does a great job of making its internet speed recommendations easy to understand. YouTube also points out that even if your connection can hit these numbers on a speed test, there are other factors like Wi-Fi performance, the type of connection, and the number of other devices on your network that can reduce your actual speed. We’ll talk more about other factors that affect buffering below.
How much speed you need for YouTube TV
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Stream SD video | 3Mbps |
| Stream HD video | 13Mbps |
| Stream 4K video (for 4K Plus subscribers*) | 25Mbps |
*Available at an additional charge. Device and content restrictions apply.
Although it does offer recommended speeds for reliable streaming, YouTube TV notes that you can still use the service with slow internet speeds. For example, you can stream an HD video with a 7Mbps download speed, but you’re more likely to run into buffering issues. You can also watch with speeds slower than 3Mbps, but any content may load slowly or rebuffer when you try to watch.
How much speed you need for Disney+
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| HD streaming | 5Mbps |
| 4K UHD streaming | 25Mbps |
Disney+ has speed recommendations that are on par with other streaming video services. If your connection is fast enough for 4K UHD video but you still find yourself being served low-quality video instead, it’s worth noting that some titles just aren’t available in this format.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Disney+ has instituted measures to lower bandwidth utilization, which means potentially limiting HD and UHD streaming.
How much speed you need for Sling TV
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Streaming on portable devices | 3Mbps |
| Single stream | 5Mbps |
| Streaming on multiple devices at the same time | 25Mbps |
Sling TV issues its speed recommendations based on the type and number of devices you plan to use, recommending at least a 25 Mbps connection if you’re going to be streaming on multiple devices. It also notes that these recommendations are for “constant speeds,” so if, for instance, you had a cable connection that slows during peak-use times, you want to make sure that your speed never dips below these requirements for Sling to run properly.
How much speed you need for Max
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| HD streaming | 5Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25Mbps (50Mbps recommended) |
Max doesn’t give many recommendations regarding connection speed, but it does recommend speeds of at least 50Mbps for watching in 4K. Get tips on what to do if you’re encountering buffering in the HBO Max help center.
How much speed you need for Paramount+ with Showtime Streaming Service
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Streaming on-demand and live TV | 2Mbps |
| Streaming in 4K | 25Mbps |
Paramount+ suggests minimum speeds of at least 25Mbps to watch in 4K, but you can get away witih speeds that are much slower if you’re watching live TV or shows on demand. Get a list of full system requirements from Paramount+.
How much speed you need for Peacock
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Min. speed for video streaming | 3Mbps |
| Recommended speed for premium content | 8Mbps |
Peacock recommends a minimum speed of 3Mbps to watch its content, but says that to enjoy enjoy certain high-quality live events and “ultra-high definition” premium content, you’ll need at least an 8 Mbps connection. 8 Mbps is a decent speed for standard HD streaming, but it should be noted that ultra-high definition is usually synonymous with 4k resolution, which needs much more bandwidth. We recommend a connection with at least 25Mbps to get the best quality video.
When watching live events, it’s also important to use a low-latency connection like fiber for the best real-time experience.
How much speed you need for STARZ
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Min. speed for video streaming | 2Mbps |
| Recommended speed for video streaming | 6Mbps |
| Recommended speed for streaming on a TV | 12Mbps |
STARZ has some of the lowest speed requirements we’ve seen among premium streaming services, recommending speeds up to just 12Mbps for streaming on a TV. You’ll still be happiest with speeds of at least 25Mbps, though.
How much speed you need for VUDU
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| HDX streaming | 4.5Mbps |
VUDU offers streaming in HDX, which is a format developed by VUDU that claims a better movie experience by preserving a film’s native 24 frames per second frame rate. If your internet connection can’t maintain the required minimum speed, you can use the VUDU app to download the video in HDX format.
How much speed you need for Crackle
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| HD streaming | 9Mbps |
Crackle is an ad-supported streaming service, so in addition to playback issues related to your internet speed, ad blockers might interfere with your video. If you’ve checked your speed but are still having issues, try disabling your ad blocker and see if it makes a difference.
How much speed you need for Acorn TV
| Video type | Speed per device |
|---|---|
| Minimum speed for video streaming | 1.6Mbps |
Acorn TV cites only a minimum speed requirement. This minimum is also fairly low compared to other streaming services. For higher-quality streams, especially on multiple devices, you’ll want more speed.
What if you meet the minimum speed requirements and still have problems?
Keep in mind that even if your internet speed meets the recommended speed of the streaming service you’re using, you could still have trouble with the quality of your video. If someone is downloading a large file or on a video chat while you’re trying to stream video, your bandwidth is going to be split between all these activities.
Some types of internet connections can experience slowdown at peak-use hours. Fast internet connections also need fast Wi-Fi routers that can handle multiple devices streaming at the same time. Watching a movie on Netflix uses more bandwidth than surfing the web, Voice over IP, or even online gaming. As such, one of the most basic reasons to upgrade your internet service is to make sure that the video you stream has a crisp, clear picture and buttery-smooth playback.
Get internet speed fast enough for streaming
If your internet service isn’t fast enough for your streaming service, you’re probably due for an upgrade. Get a list of the fastest internet service providers in your area by entering your zip code below.
Author - Peter Christiansen
Peter Christiansen writes about telecom policy, communications infrastructure, satellite internet, and rural connectivity for HighSpeedInternet.com. Peter holds a PhD in communication from the University of Utah and has been working in tech for over 15 years as a computer programmer, game developer, filmmaker, and writer. His writing has been praised by outlets like Wired, Digital Humanities Now, and the New Statesman.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
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