Broadband speed checker by postcode
See what broadband is actually available at an address before you buy or rent — top speeds, full fibre and gigabit coverage, and how many homes nearby are stuck below 10 Mbit/s.
What good broadband looks like
Speed alone is not the whole story. A household with two people working from home, a 4K TV and a games console needs stable upload as well as download, and full fibre delivers both. Copper-based part fibre connections advertise strong download speeds but often cap upload at around 20 Mbit/s, which is what makes video calls freeze.
| Tier | Download | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Below USO | Under 10 Mbit/s | Struggles with a single HD stream |
| Standard | 10–29 Mbit/s | Browsing, one HD stream |
| Superfast | 30–299 Mbit/s | Family streaming, home working |
| Ultrafast | 300–999 Mbit/s | Multiple 4K streams, large uploads |
| Gigabit | 1,000 Mbit/s+ | Everything, with headroom to spare |
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the broadband speed available at an address?
Enter the postcode above. We show the fastest download and upload speeds recorded for that postcode, plus the share of homes that can get superfast, ultrafast, gigabit and full fibre broadband, using Ofcom Connected Nations data.
What is the difference between superfast, ultrafast and gigabit?
Superfast means at least 30 Mbit/s download, ultrafast at least 300 Mbit/s, and gigabit at least 1,000 Mbit/s. Gigabit is usually delivered by full fibre to the premises or by an upgraded cable network.
What is full fibre (FTTP) and why does it matter?
Full fibre runs fibre optic cable all the way into the property instead of stopping at a green street cabinet. It gives far faster upload speeds, lower latency and much more stable performance, and it is the strongest signal that a home is future proof.
Why is the speed at my postcode different to what I actually get?
These figures show what is available at the postcode, not what you are paying for. Your real speed depends on the package you bought, your router, your in-home wiring and Wi-Fi, and how many devices are in use.
What counts as a slow broadband postcode?
Under the Universal Service Obligation every UK home has the right to request a connection of at least 10 Mbit/s download and 1 Mbit/s upload. We show the percentage of homes in the area below that threshold — anything above zero is worth investigating before you buy.
Should broadband speed affect what I pay for a house?
It can. Poor connectivity is a common reason buyers pull out or renegotiate, especially for anyone working from home. Checking before you offer costs nothing and gives you a concrete point to raise.
Where does this data come from?
Ofcom's Connected Nations fixed broadband postcode performance dataset, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0, refreshed as Ofcom releases new files.