Your character suddenly freezes or reacts late when you’re deep into an online match. You’ve experienced the frustration of high latency—better known to gamers as lag. In the fast-paced world of both competitive and casual gaming, latency can determine whether you win or lose. But what exactly is a good latency for gaming, and how can you achieve it? Let’s break it down.
Latency is essentially the delay between your action and the game server’s response, measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower the latency, the smoother and more responsive your gaming experience. While many players focus on internet speed, professional gamers know that low latency is often more important than raw bandwidth.What is a Good Latency for Gaming?
Understanding Latency and Ping
In gaming conversations, the terms latency and ping often get tossed around interchangeably—but they’re not exactly the same.
- Latency is the total round-trip time. It measures how long data takes to travel from your device to the server and back. This time is measured in ms.
- Ping is the tool or test that measures this latency.
Think of it like sending a letter:
- Latency is the total time it takes for the letter to get there and for a reply to return.
- Ping is the act of sending that letter just to see how long it takes.
In practical terms:
- Low latency (0–30 ms) = Smooth, almost instant gameplay response.
- Moderate latency (30–70 ms) = Still playable for most games, with minimal delays.
- High latency (70–150+ ms) = Noticeable lag, especially in competitive or fast-paced genres like first-person shooters (FPS) or racing games.
What is Good Latency for Gaming?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides guidelines specific to online gaming. Latency should ideally be 13 to 27 milliseconds for the best experience. But let’s expand on this with a more gamer-specific breakdown:
| Latency (ms) | Quality | Gaming Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 ms | Excellent | Ultra-responsive, esports-ready performance. |
| 20–50 ms | Good | Smooth gameplay in almost all genres. |
| 50–100 ms | Playable | Small delays, fine for casual gaming but frustrating for competitive play. |
| 100–150 ms | Poor | Noticeable lag; only tolerable in turn-based or non-realtime games. |
| 150+ ms | Unplayable for most | Significant delays make reaction-based games nearly impossible. |
Genre-specific needs:
- FPS & Competitive Esports – Ideally under 20 ms.
- Racing Games – Under 30 ms for perfect control.
- MMORPGs – 50 ms or lower is comfortable.
- Casual or Puzzle Games – Can tolerate up to 100 ms.
In summary, aim for under 50 ms latency if you want a smooth, competitive edge. If possible, try to keep it below 20 ms.
Factors That Affect Gaming Latency
Achieving low latency isn’t just about buying faster internet—it’s about optimizing your entire connection path. Key factors include:
1. Internet Connection Type
Not all internet connections are created equal:
- Fiber-optic – Fastest and lowest latency.
- Cable broadband – Generally good but can slow during peak hours.
- DSL – Slower speeds and higher latency.
- Satellite – High latency due to long travel distance of signals.
- 5G Mobile – Promising low latency, but depends on coverage and congestion.
2. Network Congestion
When too many devices share the same network, latency can spike. This is particularly true if someone is streaming 4K video. It can also happen if large files are being downloaded while you game.
3. Distance from Server
The farther you are from the game’s server, the longer it takes for data to travel, increasing latency. This is why competitive gamers often choose servers geographically closer to them.
4. Router Quality & Setup
A cheap, outdated router can bottleneck your performance. Gaming routers with Quality of Service (QoS) features can prioritize gaming traffic to keep latency low.
5. Wired vs Wireless Connection
Wired Ethernet generally has far less latency than Wi-Fi. Even the best wireless setups can be affected by interference and signal drops.
6. Device Performance & Background Apps
If your PC or console is running resource-heavy apps in the background, your latency may increase. This is due to CPU and memory strain.
How to Test Your Latency
Before improving latency, you need to measure it accurately.
Best Latency Testing Tools:
- Speedtest.net by Ookla – Provides ping, download, and upload speeds.
- PingPlotter – Tracks latency over time to spot issues.
- Game-specific latency meters – Many modern games show your ping in real time.
How to Interpret Results:
- Ping below 20 ms = Excellent.
- Ping 20–50 ms = Good.
- Ping 50–100 ms = Fair.
- Ping over 100 ms = Needs improvement.
Remember: Download and upload speeds don’t directly measure latency. You can have high speeds, but terrible latency if your connection path is unstable.
How to Reduce Latency for Gaming?
Once you know your latency, the next step is optimizing your setup to achieve the lowest possible ping. Here are proven strategies:
1. Use a Wired Ethernet Connection
The single biggest improvement you can make to reduce latency is to switch from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection.
- Why it works: Wired connections avoid the interference and packet loss that Wi-Fi is prone to.
- Pro tip: Use a Cat6 or Cat7 Ethernet cable for faster data transfer and reduced signal degradation.
2. Choose Servers Closest to Your Location
Your distance to the game server directly impacts latency.
- Many online games let you manually choose a server region.
- If you’re in New York, connecting to a server in Europe will result in higher ping. It is better to connect to a server in the U.S.
3. Close Background Apps and Devices
Programs like Discord (with video calls), browsers with many tabs, or streaming apps can use bandwidth and processing power.
- Close unnecessary apps before gaming.
- On shared networks, ask others to avoid heavy streaming or downloads during your sessions.
4. Upgrade Your Router
Not all routers are made for gaming. Look for features such as:
- QoS (Quality of Service) – Lets you prioritize gaming traffic over other devices.
- MU-MIMO – Improves performance for multiple devices connected simultaneously.
- Dual-band or Tri-band Wi-Fi – Reduces congestion.
5. Use a Gaming VPN (Selective Cases)
While VPNs can sometimes increase latency, a high-quality gaming VPN can help route your data through a more efficient path. This is especially true if your ISP’s routing is inefficient.
- Example: If your ISP routes your data indirectly to the server, a VPN can sometimes find a shorter route.
6. Reduce Wi-Fi Interference (If You Must Use Wi-Fi)
If running an Ethernet cable isn’t possible:
- Use the 5 GHz band instead of 2.4 GHz for faster, cleaner signals.
- Place your console or PC close to the router with minimal obstacles.
- Avoid placing routers near microwaves, cordless phones, or thick walls.
7. Upgrade Your Internet Plan
While latency is separate from internet speed, higher bandwidth can prevent congestion when multiple devices share the network.
- If you’re constantly hitting your bandwidth limit, consider upgrading.
- However, upgrading alone won’t fix latency if the root cause is poor routing or server distance.
Wired vs Wireless: The Latency Showdown
When it comes to online gaming, the wired vs wireless debate always comes down to one key point—latency.
Why Wired Wins
- Consistent Speeds – Ethernet delivers stable, predictable performance.
- Lower Latency – Typically 1–5 ms lower than Wi-Fi in the same environment.
- No Interference – Immune to signal drops caused by other devices or walls.
When Wireless Makes Sense
- Portability – Laptops, handheld consoles, and mobile gaming often rely on Wi-Fi.
- New Wi-Fi Standards – Wi-Fi 6 and 6E have made wireless gaming far more competitive with wired connections. This is especially true with good routers.
Pro tip: If you must use Wi-Fi for gaming, invest in mesh Wi-Fi systems. Alternatively, consider a dedicated gaming router. This offers stronger and more consistent coverage.
The Role of Game Type in Latency Sensitivity
Not all games demand ultra-low latency. Let’s break it down by category:
- First-Person Shooters (FPS) – Require lightning-fast reaction times. A latency of 20 ms or lower is ideal.
- Real-Time Strategy (RTS) – Small delays are tolerable, but under 50 ms is recommended.
- Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) – Latency under 100 ms is often fine due to slower-paced gameplay.
- Sports and Racing Games – Like FPS, they require quick reflexes, so under 30 ms is optimal.
In short, the faster the gameplay pace, the more critical latency becomes.
How Latency Impacts Competitive Gaming
For casual players, latency might just be an annoyance. However, it can make or break a match for competitive and professional gamers.
In Esports
- Milliseconds Matter – In tournaments, every fraction of a second counts.
- Server Location is Key – Esports teams often choose practice servers that match tournament conditions.
- LAN Events – These eliminate internet latency by connecting all players to the same local network.
Psychological Effects
Even small delays can cause frustration, reduce focus, and affect decision-making. Over time, consistent high latency can lead to poorer in-game performance.
How to Monitor Your Latency Over Time?
Understanding your latency at a single point in time is good. Tracking it over days or weeks can reveal patterns. It can also help diagnose recurring problems.
1. Built-in Game Tools
Most online games display latency (often labeled “ping”) in real-time:
- In FPS games like Valorant or CS:GO, you can enable network stats in the settings menu.
- In MMOs like World of Warcraft, the latency meter is visible by default.
Pro tip: Keep notes on latency during different times of day—this can help identify congestion patterns.
2. Network Testing Tools
For a more precise look at your connection:
- PingPlotter – Visualizes latency over time, showing where delays occur (local network, ISP, or game server).
- Ookla Speedtest – Gives ping readings alongside speed metrics.
- Windows Command Prompt / Mac Terminal – Use the
pingcommand for a quick check.
3. Router Logs and Dashboards
High-end routers often have built-in latency tracking tools.
- Some gaming routers let you set alerts if ping exceeds a certain threshold.
Advanced Latency Optimization Tips
If you’ve tried the basics and still struggle, here are pro-level tweaks:
1. Change Your DNS Server
Your DNS (Domain Name System) translates website/game server names into IP addresses. A faster DNS can speed up the connection handshake.
- Google DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
- OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220
Changing DNS won’t drastically lower latency in-game, but it can reduce initial connection time.
2. Enable QoS (Quality of Service) on Your Router
QoS lets you prioritize gaming traffic over streaming or downloads.
- Example: If a roommate is watching 4K Netflix, your ping won’t skyrocket.
3. Switch to a Lower-traffic Time
If your ISP struggles with congestion during peak hours (evenings), try gaming earlier or later.
- This is especially effective for rural areas with limited broadband capacity.
4. Use Direct-to-Modem Connection
Bypassing the router entirely can remove a small amount of latency caused by routing processes.
- Only recommended for troubleshooting since it removes your local network access.
Common Latency Myths
There’s a lot of misinformation about gaming latency—let’s clear it up.
Myth 1: Higher Internet Speed Automatically Lowers Latency
❌ False – Latency is about the time it takes data to travel. It is not about how much data can be sent per second.
- Example: You can have 1 Gbps internet and still get 150 ms latency if the server is far away.
Myth 2: All VPNs Increase Latency
❌ Not always – A good gaming VPN can reroute your connection through a faster path, sometimes lowering ping.
Myth 3: Wi-Fi 6 Guarantees Low Latency
❌ Not guaranteed – While Wi-Fi 6 can reduce delays compared to older standards, interference and range still matter.
Myth 4: Latency and FPS Are the Same Thing
❌ Nope – FPS (frames per second) is your system’s rendering speed. Latency is network delay. They affect gameplay differently.
When to Contact Your ISP About Latency Issues
If your latency remains high after optimizing your setup, it may be an ISP-level issue.
- Consistent high ping across all games and services is a red flag.
- Packet loss alongside high latency indicates a network quality problem.
- Fluctuating latency during peak hours suggests network congestion.
When contacting your ISP:
- Have ping test logs ready.
- Mention specific games and servers where latency is high.
- Ask if they offer gaming-optimized routes or peering agreements.
Ideal Latency Benchmarks by Game Genre
Different types of games demand different latency levels for an enjoyable experience.
| Game Type | Acceptable Latency | Competitive Latency | Impact of High Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Person Shooters (FPS) (e.g., Call of Duty, Valorant, CS:GO) | Under 50 ms | Under 20 ms | Missed shots, delayed reactions |
| Battle Royale Games (e.g., Fortnite, Apex Legends, PUBG) | Under 60 ms | Under 30 ms | Laggy movement, desync issues |
| MMORPGs (e.g., World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV) | Under 100 ms | Under 50 ms | Delayed abilities, sluggish combat |
| MOBA Games (e.g., League of Legends, Dota 2) | Under 60 ms | Under 30 ms | Missed skill shots, poor team coordination |
| Racing Games (e.g., Forza Horizon, Gran Turismo) | Under 50 ms | Under 20 ms | Input delay, collisions feeling “off” |
| Casual Turn-based Games (e.g., Chess.com, Civilization VI) | Under 200 ms | Under 100 ms | Minimal impact unless very high |
Latency vs Jitter vs Packet Loss — The Simple Explanation
Many gamers think “low latency” is the only thing that matters, but two other network factors also affect your experience:
1. Latency
- What it is: The time data takes to travel from you to the game server and back.
- Good: Under 50 ms for competitive gaming.
2. Jitter
- What it is: Variation in latency over time.
- Example: If your ping jumps from 30 ms to 120 ms randomly, that’s jitter.
- Why it matters: High jitter causes unpredictable gameplay, making timing difficult.
3. Packet Loss
- What it is: Data packets failing to reach their destination.
- Example: Missing player positions, rubberbanding, or disappearing actions in-game.
- Why it matters: Even 1-2% packet loss can ruin fast-paced online games.
Final Actionable Checklist to Keep Latency Low
Here’s your easy-to-follow latency optimization plan:
- Use a Wired Ethernet Connection whenever possible.
- Close background downloads before gaming.
- Enable QoS on your router to prioritize gaming traffic.
- Update network drivers and router firmware regularly.
- Play on nearby servers to reduce travel time for data.
- Check your ISP’s peak usage hours and game outside them if possible.
- Test your connection regularly using tools like PingPlotter or Speedtest.
- Switch ISPs if persistent latency issues can’t be resolved.
- Upgrade to a gaming router with low-latency features.
- Avoid crowded Wi-Fi channels or use 5 GHz/6 GHz bands for less interference.
Conclusion: The Sweet Spot for Gaming Latency
For most gamers, under 50 ms latency is the golden zone for smooth, competitive gameplay.
- If you’re into casual gaming or single-player titles, you can go higher without much issue.
- But for eSports, aim for 20 ms or less.
Remember, latency isn’t just about internet speed—it’s about stability, server distance, and connection quality. By following the strategies above, you can ensure your setup is optimized for the lowest possible ping.
Also Read: How to Reset Spectrum Remote: A Step-by-Step Guide to Spectrum Remote Reset
FAQs: What is a Good Latency for Gaming?
Q1: Is 100 ms latency bad for gaming?
- For competitive FPS games, yes—it will feel noticeably laggy. But for slower-paced games, it’s fine.
Q2: Can I improve latency without upgrading my internet speed?
- Absolutely. Use a wired connection, close background apps, and connect to the nearest server.
Q3: Does 5G internet have lower latency than fiber?
- Not necessarily—fiber typically offers the lowest latency. 5G can be fast, but it’s still subject to wireless interference.
Q4: Can VPNs reduce gaming latency?
- In some cases, yes, if they provide a shorter route to the game server.
Q5: What is the absolute lowest latency possible?
- Around 1–5 ms for local connections—but in global gaming, under 20 ms is exceptional.
