What is a good ping for online gaming? If you’re someone who plays competitive games or even just enjoys casual online matches, you’ve probably heard the term “ping” thrown around.
And if you’ve ever experienced frustrating lag at the worst possible moment, you already know how important it is.
But what exactly is ping, and how does it affect your gaming experience? More importantly, how can you test it and improve it?
In this article, we’ll break it all down in a way that’s easy to understand and, most importantly, useful for your gaming sessions.
What is Ping?
Ping is basically a measure of how long it takes for your computer or console to send a signal to a game server and receive a response. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms), and the lower your ping, the faster and more responsive your connection is.
Think of it like this: Imagine you’re playing an online shooter, and you press the button to fire your weapon.
Source: PingPlotter
If you have a high ping, there’s a noticeable delay between pressing the button and seeing the shot happen in the game. In fast-paced games like shooters, fighting games, and racing games, even a few milliseconds can make a huge difference.
A lower ping means your actions happen almost instantly on the screen, keeping the game smooth and fair.
And What is a Good Ping Speed?
A good ping for online gaming is typically below 50ms, ensuring smooth, responsive gameplay. 0-20ms is excellent, 20-50ms is very good, 50-100ms is decent but may cause slight lag, and anything above 100ms can impact performance.
Lower ping means faster data transmission and a better gaming experience. Here’s a general guideline:
- 0-20ms: Amazing. You probably won’t even notice any delay, and your gameplay will be buttery smooth.
- 20-50ms: Very good. Most online games will feel very responsive.
- 50-100ms: Decent. Some minor lag may be noticeable, but it’s still playable.
- 100-150ms: Playable, but not ideal. You might experience some delays, especially in fast-paced games.
- 150ms and above: Not great. You’ll start to notice significant lag, making competitive gaming frustrating.
- 200ms and above: Bad. Expect a lot of delays, stuttering, and a rough gaming experience.
These numbers can vary depending on the game and server location, but in general, anything below 50ms is great, while anything above 100ms might start causing noticeable issues.
How Can You Test Your Ping?
If you’re wondering how to check your ping, it’s actually pretty simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Use In-Game Tools
Most online games have a built-in way to check your ping. Look for a “Network” or “Connection” option in the game’s settings, or check for an overlay during gameplay that shows your ping in real time. Games like Valorant, Fortnite, and Call of Duty have this feature.
Valorant Video Settings. Source: Click Storm
Step 2: Use a Speed Test Website
If your game doesn’t show ping, you can use a website like Speedtest.net or Fast.com. These sites measure your internet speed and give you a ping result. However, keep in mind that this ping test is to a general server and not necessarily the game’s server, so the result may differ slightly.
Step 3: Use the Command Prompt (PC Only)
If you want a more specific test, you can check your ping manually:
- Open the Command Prompt (press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter).
- Type ping google.com and press Enter.
- You’ll see a response time in milliseconds. This gives you a rough idea of your ping to Google’s servers.
- If you want to check your ping to a specific game server, look up the server’s IP and use the same ping command.
Step 4: Try Third-Party Software
There are also third-party applications designed to check and optimize ping for gaming, such as NoPing. These services analyze your connection and help you find better routes to game servers.
What Affects Your Ping?
Several factors can impact your ping, some of which are within your control and some that aren’t. Here are the main ones:
- Distance from the Game Server: The farther you are from the server, the longer it takes for data to travel back and forth, resulting in higher ping.
- Internet Connection Type: Fiber-optic connections generally offer lower ping than DSL, cable, or satellite internet.
- Network Congestion: If multiple devices in your house are using the internet at the same time (like streaming, downloading, or video calls), it can increase your ping.
- Wi-Fi vs. Wired Connection: Wi-Fi can introduce interference and instability. A wired Ethernet connection is always better for gaming.
- Background Applications: Programs running in the background (especially those using bandwidth, like downloads or streaming) can slow down your connection.
- ISP Routing: Sometimes, your internet provider’s routing to game servers isn’t optimal, leading to increased ping.
- Game Server Performance: If the game server itself is experiencing issues or is overloaded with players, your ping can be affected even if your internet is fine.
How Can You Improve Your Ping?
If your ping is too high, don’t worry—there are several things you can do to improve it:
1. Use a Wired Connection
If you’re playing on Wi-Fi, switch to an Ethernet cable. This alone can significantly reduce lag and make your connection more stable.
2. Connect to the Nearest Server
Many games let you choose which server region you connect to. Always pick the closest one to minimize ping.
3. Close Background Apps
Make sure there are no unnecessary programs using your internet while gaming. Close browsers, streaming services, and any large downloads.
4. Restart Your Router
Sometimes, simply rebooting your router can clear up network congestion and improve your ping.
5. Check for ISP Issues
If your internet provider is experiencing issues, there’s not much you can do except wait or contact them for support. You might also consider switching to a better ISP if high ping is a recurring problem.
6. Use NoPing
Some services like NoPing optimize your connection by routing your traffic through faster paths to the game servers. These can sometimes make a big difference in reducing lag.
Here’s how to use NoPing to fix high ping in games:
- Sign-up through the website and download NoPing (you can test it for free).
- Open NoPing and search for your game inside the software
- Once you find it, click on it and, on the next screen, select “Choose automatic” or “Choose manual” and click “Continue”. We recommend choosing automatic, as NoPing’s technology analyzes all routes on a global scale and automatically selects the best option for you.
- On the next screen, click on “Optimize Game”.
- And that’s it, you can start playing with optimized ping!
You can test different servers within NoPing to see which gives you the lowest latency.
7. Limit Other Devices on Your Network
If other people in your house are using the internet heavily (streaming Netflix, downloading large files, etc.), it will affect your ping. Try gaming when fewer people are online or ask them to reduce their usage.
8. Upgrade Your Internet Plan
If your internet speed is very low, upgrading to a higher-speed plan can help, especially if multiple people are using it at the same time.
A good ping is crucial for smooth online gaming, and anything below 50ms is ideal. If you’re struggling with high ping, there are plenty of ways to test it and improve it.
From switching to a wired connection to using optimization services, small changes can make a big difference.
Wanna have a good ping in all your favorite games? Download NoPing now and test it for free for 7 days!
