What is Low Latency? Definition and How to Achieve it

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low latency

Low latency is a crucial factor in online gaming that can make or break your experience.

If you’ve ever found yourself shouting at the screen because your game lagged at the worst possible moment, you’ve experienced high latency firsthand.

But what exactly is low latency, and why does it matter so much in gaming?

In this article, we’ll break down what low latency means, why it’s essential for gamers, how it works, and, most importantly, how to achieve it.

Whether you’re a competitive esports player or just someone who enjoys smooth gameplay, understanding latency can help you level up your gaming setup.

What is Low Latency?

At its core, latency is the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. In gaming, this means the time it takes for your actions (like pressing a button or moving your character) to be registered by the game server and reflected on your screen.

Low latency simply means less delay. The lower the latency, the faster your inputs are processed, making the game feel smooth and responsive.

Source: Neos Networks

On the other hand, high latency causes lag, making everything feel sluggish, unresponsive, or even leading to delays that can ruin your gameplay.

Latency is usually measured in milliseconds (ms), and for online gaming, anything below 50ms is generally considered good.

However, for competitive gaming, players aim for even lower—preferably under 20ms.

Where and When You Need Low Latency?

While latency affects all types of internet activity, it’s especially critical in real-time applications. Here are some scenarios where low latency is a must:

  1. Online Gaming – Fast-paced multiplayer games like first-person shooters (FPS), battle royale games, and MOBAs require instant response times. If your latency is too high, you’ll experience delays, missed shots, and frustrating deaths.
  2. Live Streaming – Whether you’re streaming your gameplay to an audience or watching a live esports tournament, low latency ensures real-time interaction without noticeable delays.
  3. Cloud Gaming – Services like NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming rely on low latency to deliver smooth gameplay over the internet. The higher the latency, the more input lag and stuttering you’ll experience.
  4. Video Calls and VoIP – Ever had a conversation where there was a noticeable delay before the other person responded? That’s high latency in action.
  5. Stock Trading and Financial Transactions – High-frequency traders rely on low latency to execute trades at lightning speed, where even a few milliseconds can mean the difference between profit and loss.

For gaming, specifically, the need for low latency depends on the genre. Casual games or turn-based strategy games can tolerate some delay, but competitive gaming demands the lowest latency possible.

How Does Low Latency Work?

Low latency is achieved by optimizing how data is transmitted between your device and the game server. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:

  1. Input – You press a button or move your mouse.
  2. Data Transmission – Your action is sent over the internet to the game server.
  3. Processing – The server registers your input and calculates the outcome.
  4. Response – The result is sent back to your device.
  5. Display – The action is reflected on your screen.

The faster this process happens, the lower the latency.

Latency is influenced by multiple factors, including your internet connection, network hardware, and even the physical distance between you and the game server. This is why gamers often choose servers that are geographically closer to them.

How to Measure Low Latency?

Measuring latency is easy, and there are several ways to do it:

  • In-Game Ping – Most online games display your latency in the form of “ping.” Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms), and lower numbers mean better performance.

Source: Linus Tech Tips

  • Speed Test Websites – Websites like Speedtest.net or Fast.com measure your ping along with download and upload speeds.
  • Command Prompt (Windows) / Terminal (Mac/Linux) – You can manually check latency by using the ping command followed by a server address (e.g., ping google.com).

Generally, if your ping is:

  • 0-20ms – Excellent (ideal for competitive gaming).
  • 20-50ms – Good (acceptable for most online games).
  • 50-100ms – Fair (playable, but noticeable delays).
  • 100ms+ – Poor (lag will be significant and frustrating).

How to Achieve Low Latency?

Achieving low latency requires optimizing multiple factors, from your internet connection to your hardware setup.

Below, we’ll go into more detail on the best strategies to minimize latency and create the smoothest online gaming experience possible.

1. Use a Wired Connection Instead of Wi-Fi

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce latency is switching from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection. While Wi-Fi is convenient, it introduces additional latency due to:

  • Signal interference from walls, electronic devices, and other Wi-Fi networks.
  • Packet loss, which can cause stuttering or input delays.
  • Network congestion when multiple devices are connected.

Solution:

  • Use a high-quality Cat6 or Cat7 Ethernet cable to directly connect your PC or console to the router.
  • If running a long cable isn’t possible, use Powerline adapters to extend your wired connection through your home’s electrical wiring.

2. Choose the Right Internet Plan

Not all internet service providers (ISPs) offer the same gaming performance. Some providers have high latency due to poor routing or oversaturated networks.

What to Look for in an ISP?

  • A fiber-optic connection is ideal since it offers the lowest latency compared to DSL or cable.
  • Plans with low jitter and no data caps to avoid throttling.
  • ISPs that prioritize gaming traffic in their network routing.

How to Test Your Connection?
Run a speed test on Speedtest.net and check:

  • Ping (Latency) – Should be below 50ms for gaming.
  • Download Speed – Important for downloading updates but not crucial for latency.
  • Upload Speed – Matters for streaming but doesn’t directly affect in-game latency.

3. Optimize Your Network Settings

Tweaking your router and PC settings can have a big impact on reducing latency.

Router Optimization

  • Enable QoS (Quality of Service) – This setting allows you to prioritize gaming traffic over other internet activities (e.g., video streaming, downloads).
  • Use 5GHz Wi-Fi (if you must use Wi-Fi) – 5GHz Wi-Fi is faster and less congested than 2.4GHz, though a wired connection is still better.
  • Restart Your Router Regularly – This can clear out congestion and improve performance.
  • Disable Unnecessary Devices – If multiple devices are connected to the same network, they may compete for bandwidth.

PC/Console Optimization

  • Close Background Applications – Streaming services, torrents, and even auto-updates can use bandwidth and increase latency.
  • Disable Network Throttling – On Windows, disable power-saving settings that may reduce network performance:
    • Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.

Source: Action1

  • Right-click your connection > Properties > Configure > Power Management > Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

4. Connect to the Nearest Game Server

The physical distance between you and the game server is a major factor in latency. The further away the server is, the more time data takes to travel.

How to Choose the Best Server?

  • Many online games allow you to manually select a region (e.g., North America, Europe, Asia). Pick the closest one to minimize ping.
  • Some games, like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Valorant, automatically connect you to the best server, but you can override this using third-party tools like NoPing.

Bonus Tip:
If a game doesn’t allow you to pick a server, search online for IP addresses of different game servers and ping them manually using:

ping [server-IP] -t

This helps identify which server gives the lowest latency.

5. Upgrade Your Router or Modem

An outdated router can bottleneck your connection, leading to unnecessary latency.

Signs You Need a New Router:

  • Your router is more than 5 years old.
  • You experience frequent packet loss or unstable ping.
  • Your ISP has upgraded speeds, but your router can’t handle them.

What to Look for in a Gaming Router?

  • Low latency technology – Some gaming routers have built-in features like Gaming Mode or Geo-Filtering to optimize connections.
  • Dual-band or tri-band support – These routers can handle multiple connections more efficiently.
  • MU-MIMO and Beamforming – Helps reduce congestion if multiple devices are connected.

Popular gaming routers include the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700, and TP-Link Archer AX6000.

6. Reduce Network Congestion

If multiple devices in your home are using the internet at the same time, latency will increase.

How to Reduce Congestion?

  • Schedule large downloads (like game updates) during off-peak hours.
  • Ask family members to pause video streaming (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) when you’re gaming.
  • Use a dedicated gaming network – Some routers let you create a separate SSID just for gaming.

7. Use Gaming-Specific Services

Certain services help reroute your connection to optimize latency.

Ping reducer

Specialized software like NoPing can improve performance if your ISP routes traffic inefficiently. Some examples:

Gaming ISPs

Some ISPs offer gaming-specific services that prioritize gaming traffic. Examples include:

  • Comcast’s xFi Gaming Mode
  • AT&T Fiber Gaming

If your ISP provides gaming packages, check whether they offer lower latency routes for better performance.

8. Monitor and Optimize Your Connection Regularly

Once you’ve made these changes, it’s a good idea to monitor your connection to ensure you’re getting the best performance.

  • Check your ping daily using tools like Speedtest.net or PingPlotter.
  • Keep your firmware updated on your router for performance improvements.
  • Contact your ISP if you consistently experience high latency despite an otherwise fast connection.

What Causes Latency?

Understanding what causes high latency can help you avoid it. Some common culprits include:

  1. Distance from the Server – The further away the game server is, the longer it takes for data to travel.
  2. Network Congestion – If too many people are using the internet in your household or neighborhood, latency increases.
  3. Poor Internet Connection – Slow or unstable connections cause inconsistent latency spikes.
  4. Interference – Wi-Fi signals can be disrupted by walls, other devices, or even your neighbor’s Wi-Fi.
  5. Hardware Limitations – Outdated routers, network cables, or even a slow PC can introduce additional lag.
  6. ISP Issues – Some ISPs throttle gaming traffic or have unstable routing, leading to higher latency.

Low latency is essential for online gaming, especially if you want a smooth, responsive experience. By understanding what latency is, how it works, and how to optimize your setup, you can minimize lag and get the most out of your gaming sessions.

Whether it’s switching to a wired connection, upgrading your router, or simply selecting the right game server, every little improvement helps.

And if you want to play your favorite online games always with low latency, use NoPing! Try it for free for 7 days!