What is Latency vs Ping?

Latency and ping are two closely related terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing: latency refers to the time delay between the moment a data packet is sent and the moment it is received, while ping is a specific type of latency measurement that calculates the round-trip time for a data packet to travel from a device to a server and back. In essence, latency is a broader concept that encompasses ping, which is a specific measurement tool used to assess network performance.

Understanding Latency and Ping

To grasp the concept of latency vs ping, it’s essential to understand the basics of network communication. When a device sends data packets to a server, there is always a delay between the time the packet is sent and the time it is received. This delay is known as latency, and it’s measured in milliseconds (ms). Ping, on the other hand, is a specific type of latency measurement that calculates the round-trip time for a data packet to travel from a device to a server and back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about latency vs ping:

1. What is good ping and latency?: A ping rate over 150 milliseconds (ms) will generate noticeable lag, and this will definitely affect gameplay, graphics, and an ability to stream watchable content to Twitch. Anything less than that should be ok. A ping rate under 50 ms is fantastic and is desirable for professional gamers.
2. Is latency the same as ping?: To be specific, latency (or ping) is the measure of how long it takes (in milliseconds) for one data packet to travel from your device to a destination and back. Latency is one of the primary indicators of network performance quality.
3. Is 20 ms latency good?: Typically, anything at 100ms is acceptable for gaming. However, the 20-40ms range is considered optimal. So simply put, low latency is good for online gamers while high latency can present obstacles.
4. Is 22 ms latency good?: Low latency is not the same as low speed. Latency is measured in milliseconds, and indicates the quality of your connection within your network. Anything at 100ms or less is considered acceptable for gaming. However, 20-40ms is optimal.
5. What is latency?: Latency refers to the time delay between the moment a data packet is sent and the moment it is received.
6. What affects latency?: Common reasons for high latency include: your router location, the proximity and positioning of your router can affect network latency, and walls or longer distances between the router and device are often responsible for high ping.
7. Is 30 ms latency bad?: Low latency is not the same as low speed. Latency is measured in milliseconds, and indicates the quality of your connection within your network. Anything at 100ms or less is considered acceptable for gaming. However, 20-40ms is optimal.
8. Is 7 ms a good latency?: Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the server. Having good latency is dependent on the quality of your internet connection, and goes hand in hand with ping. Lower latency is ideal, with the best gameplay performance sitting between 5 and 60ms.
9. How do I lower my latency?: On top of choosing a reliable ISP for your internet connection, other measures you can take to reduce latency include: don’t download more than one item at a time, avoid running too many applications simultaneously, scan for viruses, wire your network connection to support lower latency, and don’t delete your cache.
10. What is a bad ms latency?: Low latency means less lag and smoother gameplay. Generally, when you test your ping, an acceptable number is anywhere around 40 to 60 milliseconds (ms) or lower, while a speed of over 100ms will usually mean a noticeable lag in gaming.
11. Is 32 ms latency bad?: Low latency is not the same as low speed. Latency is measured in milliseconds, and indicates the quality of your connection within your network. Anything at 100ms or less is considered acceptable for gaming. However, 20-40ms is optimal.
12. Why is my ping so high but my internet is good?: Slow internet isn’t the only cause of high ping. If your internet speed is good but your ping is still high, try moving your computer closer to your router, check that you are using a server that is geographically close to your location, and close out any apps and programs running in the background.
13. What is a normal ping speed?: A good ping speed typically ranges between 10-20ms for professional gamers. Although a perfectly average ping for gaming is around 20-50ms.
14. Why is my ping low but I still lag?: If your ping and latency are sitting at reasonable levels and you are still experiencing lag, you may just have an unstable connection. This is where your device is disconnecting and reconnecting to your internet and causing something called ‘packet loss‘.
15. Can you fix latency issues?: Yes, you can fix latency issues by using a wired connection, closing unnecessary applications, scanning for viruses, wiring your network connection to support lower latency, and not deleting your cache.