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Upload latency 10x download latency - normal?

andymerrett2 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:53:38 GMT

Running Speedtest (the Ookla online version, not BT's) I regularly get an upload latency significantly higher than the download latency, and I just wondered if it's normal?

Now, the figures (especially since being on Full Fibre) are not bad, and I don't do a lot of activities such as gaming which rely on low latency, but I'm still curious.

Today's test for example I get a ping of 7ms, download latency of 17ms and upload latency of 140ms.

When I had a rather dodgy Ethernet cable, I was sometimes getting upload latency in the low 1000s! I've since replaced with a high quality Ethernet cat 6a cable (it's 100ft which is well within acceptable run).

I also have similar latency 'issues' via Wi-Fi, though, so I am thinking it's either the router or the service overall.

Now don't get me wrong, 140ms upload latency I still consider very good (I'm not an online gamer). I'm just curious, and searching online mainly tells me about asymmetric connections.

I get that online speed tools will likely introduce their own bottlenecks, but the higher latency for upload seems fairly consistent across devices and sessions.

Re: Upload latency 10x download latency - normal?

Michael_D — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:00:50 GMT

Hi @andymerrett2

Thanks for coming to the community.

It certainly isn't a massive worry if you aren't gaming, but it is worth looking at.

It is worth trying to restart and then reset the router to see if there is any change.

If it is still the same, I'd recommend texting HELP to 61998 to check the line. If an engineer is needed, you'll get an option to book one, and if not, you'll be put in touch with our tech guides to look into it further.

Michael

Re: Upload latency 10x download latency - normal?

andymerrett2 — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:54:52 GMT

I did some search and test and it may be "upload bloat" which is also made to look worse when running something like Speedtest because it saturates the line on upload.

Under normal circumstances it's not an issue.