Latency is one of the most frustrating challenges gamers face.

If you've ever been in the middle of an intense online gaming session and suddenly felt like your character was moving through molasses or that your carefully aimed shot somehow missed its target, you’ve likely experienced it.

It's a word that gamers throw around a lot, but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, how do you fix it? Let’s break it all down.

What is Latency?

Latency (or ping) is basically the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back.

Imagine you're sending a message to a friend who’s across the room, but instead of just shouting, you write it on a paper airplane, throw it to them, and wait for them to send one back.

The time it takes for the airplane to reach them and for their response to return to you is your latency.

In the digital world, this airplane is the data being sent over the internet. Every time you press a button, move your character, or shoot at an enemy, that information has to travel to the game server.

The server then processes it, checks what’s happening with everyone else in the game, and sends the updated game state back to you. The longer this process takes, the higher your latency, and the more frustrating your experience.

A latency test. I'm in Brazil. See the difference in latency increase the further away the server is. Source: Ping-test

How is it Related to Gaming?

In online gaming, latency can make or break your experience. When you’re playing solo, your console or PC handles most of the game’s processing locally, so latency isn’t much of an issue.

But in multiplayer games, every movement, action, or shot you take has to be communicated to a central server (or sometimes directly to other players).

If your latency is too high, it can lead to delayed actions, jerky movements, or worse—"rubberbanding." Rubberbanding is when your character seems to snap back to a previous position because the game is trying to sync up your actions with the server.

This is especially infuriating in fast-paced games like first-person shooters, MOBAs, or racing games, where every millisecond counts.

What are the Types of Latency in Games?

Not all latency is created equal. Let’s break down the main types:

1. Network Latency: This is the time it takes for data to travel between your device and the game server. It’s affected by things like your internet connection speed, the distance between you and the server, and the quality of your network equipment (like your router).

2. Input Latency: This refers to the delay between you pressing a button or moving your mouse and the action happening on screen. Input latency is often a hardware issue, influenced by things like your keyboard, mouse, monitor, or even the game itself.

3. Server Latency: Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end at all. If the game server is overloaded or poorly optimized, it can take longer to process data and send it back to players.

4. Graphics Latency: This type of latency is tied to your graphics card and monitor. It’s the time it takes for a frame to be rendered and displayed on your screen. If your FPS (frames per second) is low, you might feel like the game is lagging, even if your network latency is fine.

So, What is the Meaning of Low Latency?

Low latency means that data is traveling quickly between your device and the game server, resulting in a smooth, responsive gaming experience.

In other words, low latency is the holy grail for online gamers. It means that when you press a button, your actions happen in real time (or as close to it as possible).

For most online games, latency is measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower the number, the better. For example:

• 0-20ms: This is as good as it gets. Your gameplay will feel buttery smooth.

• 20-50ms: Still excellent, with barely any noticeable delay.

• 50-100ms: Playable, but you might start to notice a slight lag in competitive games.

• 100ms+: Things get dicey here, especially in fast-paced games.

• 200ms+: You’re in "rage-quit" territory. Every action feels delayed, and your experience is far from enjoyable.

How to Reduce Latency?

Reducing latency is all about optimizing your setup and connection. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Start with the basics. Are you using a stable internet connection? Wired connections (like Ethernet) are almost always better than Wi-Fi for gaming. If you’re stuck with Wi-Fi, make sure your router is in a good location, free from interference.

2. Close Background Applications

If you have other apps or devices hogging your bandwidth, they’ll increase your latency. Close anything that’s downloading, streaming, or updating while you’re gaming.

3. Use a Gaming Booster

A gaming booster like NoPing can optimize your connection by routing your data through the fastest, most stable paths to the game server. This can significantly reduce network latency, especially if you’re playing on servers far from your location.

4. Update Your Hardware

If you’re dealing with input or frame latency, upgrading your hardware might help. A better mouse, keyboard, monitor, or graphics card can reduce delays and make your actions feel more immediate.

5. Choose Servers Wisely

Many games let you choose which server region to connect to. Always pick the server closest to your physical location for the lowest latency.

6. Optimize Your Router

Enable QoS (Quality of Service) settings on your router to prioritize gaming traffic over other types of data. Also, keep your router firmware updated to ensure it’s running efficiently.

What is a Good Latency Speed?

As we mentioned earlier, anything under 50ms is excellent for online gaming. For casual gamers, even up to 100ms can be fine.

But if you’re diving into competitive gaming, you’ll want to aim for 20ms or lower.

Different game genres also have varying tolerance levels for latency:

• First-Person Shooters (FPS): Require the lowest latency possible, ideally under 20ms.

• MOBA Games (like League of Legends): Can handle latency up to 50ms without major issues.

• MMORPGs: Tend to be more forgiving, with 100ms still being playable.

• Casual Puzzle or Turn-Based Games: Latency isn’t as important here, so you can get away with higher speeds.

In some games, like LoL, you can check your ping (latency) while playing.

Why is My Latency So High?

If your latency is through the roof, there could be a few reasons:

1. You’re Too Far from the Server

The farther your data has to travel, the higher your latency. If you’re in Europe but playing on a U.S. server, you’re naturally going to experience more delay.

2. Your Internet Speed Isn’t Up to Par

While latency isn’t directly tied to internet speed, a slow or unstable connection can still make things worse. If your internet plan doesn’t support high-bandwidth activities, you’ll struggle with online gaming.

3. Your Router or Network Setup

An old or poorly configured router can add unnecessary delays. Make sure your router supports modern standards like Wi-Fi 6, and consider using an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.

4. Other Devices Are Competing for Bandwidth

If your sibling is streaming 4K videos while you’re gaming, you’re going to have a bad time. Make sure your gaming session isn’t fighting for bandwidth with other heavy users.

5. Server Issues

Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end. Game servers can experience high traffic, maintenance issues, or even attacks that cause latency spikes for everyone.

Latency can be a gamer’s worst nightmare, but understanding what it is and how to reduce it can make a world of difference.

Whether it’s optimizing your internet connection, upgrading your hardware, or using a gaming booster, there are plenty of ways to bring that number down and get back to enjoying your favorite games without the frustration.

At the end of the day, low latency is about keeping the game world and your actions perfectly in sync.