Speedtest CLI: How To Use The Command Line Tool

Oct 30, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 48 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to check your internet speed without opening a browser? Well, you're in luck! The Speedtest CLI is a command-line tool that lets you do just that. It's super handy for quickly getting your download and upload speeds, especially when you're troubleshooting network issues or just curious about your connection. Let's dive into how you can get this set up and start using it like a pro.

What is Speedtest CLI?

Okay, so what exactly is this Speedtest CLI thing? Basically, it's a command-line interface (CLI) version of the popular Speedtest.net website. Instead of clicking buttons on a webpage, you type commands into your terminal or command prompt. This tool measures your internet connection's speed, including download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter. It's lightweight, fast, and perfect for those who prefer using the command line or need to automate speed tests. You can use it on various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile tool for any tech enthusiast or network admin. Setting up Speedtest CLI involves downloading the appropriate package for your operating system, extracting the files, and ensuring the executable is added to your system's PATH environment variable. This allows you to run the speedtest command from any directory in your terminal. Once installed, a simple speedtest command will initiate a speed test, displaying the results directly in your terminal window. The tool connects to the nearest or specified Speedtest server to perform the test, providing accurate and reliable results. Speedtest CLI supports various options, such as specifying a particular server, outputting results in different formats (like JSON or CSV), and running multiple tests to get an average speed. It's especially useful for scripting and automation, allowing you to monitor your internet connection's performance over time or integrate speed tests into your network monitoring tools. Whether you're a developer, network administrator, or just a curious user, Speedtest CLI provides a convenient and efficient way to measure your internet speed directly from the command line.

Installation

Alright, let's get this show on the road! Installing the Speedtest CLI is pretty straightforward. Here’s how you do it on different operating systems:

Windows

Download the Executable: First, you'll want to grab the Windows executable from the official Speedtest CLI download page. Make sure you pick the right version for your system (32-bit or 64-bit).
Extract the ZIP File: Once you've downloaded the ZIP file, extract its contents to a folder on your computer. A good spot might be C:\Program Files\Speedtest or something similar.
Add to PATH: This is the important part. You need to add the directory where you extracted the executable to your system's PATH environment variable. This lets you run the speedtest command from anywhere in the command prompt.
- Search for "Edit the system environment variables" in the Start menu.
- Click "Environment Variables…"
- In the "System variables" section, find the Path variable and click "Edit…"
- Click "New" and add the path to the directory where you extracted the Speedtest CLI executable (e.g., C:\Program Files\Speedtest).
- Click "OK" on all the windows to save the changes.
Test it Out: Open a new command prompt window (or restart your current one) and type speedtest. If everything went smoothly, you should see the Speedtest CLI start running.

macOS

For macOS, the easiest way to install Speedtest CLI is using Homebrew. If you don't have Homebrew installed, you'll need to get that set up first. It's a package manager that makes installing software a breeze.

Install Homebrew (if you don't have it): Open Terminal and run the following command:
```
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
```
Follow the on-screen instructions. It might take a few minutes.
Install Speedtest CLI: Once Homebrew is installed, run this command in Terminal:
```
brew install speedtest-cli
```
Brew will download and install the Speedtest CLI for you.
Test it Out: Open Terminal and type speedtest. You should see the Speedtest CLI start running.

Linux

On Linux, you can also use a package manager to install Speedtest CLI. The exact command might vary depending on your distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.).

Update Package Lists: Open a terminal and update your package lists. For example, on Ubuntu, you'd use:
```
sudo apt update
```
Install Speedtest CLI: Then, install the Speedtest CLI. On Ubuntu, you can use:
```
sudo apt install speedtest-cli
```
On Fedora, you might use:
```
sudo dnf install speedtest-cli
```
Test it Out: Type speedtest in the terminal and hit Enter. The Speedtest CLI should start running.

No matter which operating system you're on, adding the Speedtest CLI to your system's PATH ensures you can run the speedtest command from any directory, making it a convenient and readily accessible tool. Ensuring the correct installation is crucial for seamless operation and accurate results. If you encounter issues, double-check that the executable is in the correct location and that the PATH variable is correctly configured. For advanced users, exploring additional options like specifying servers or output formats can further enhance the utility of Speedtest CLI. The tool's ability to provide detailed connection metrics, such as jitter and packet loss, makes it an invaluable asset for diagnosing and resolving network problems. Regular use of Speedtest CLI can also help you monitor your internet service provider's performance and ensure you're getting the speeds you're paying for. By following these installation steps, you'll have Speedtest CLI up and running in no time, ready to provide you with quick and accurate internet speed measurements directly from your command line.

Basic Usage

Okay, you've got Speedtest CLI installed. Awesome! Now, how do you actually use it? It’s super simple. Just open your command prompt or terminal and type:

speedtest

Hit Enter, and the Speedtest CLI will start running. It will automatically find the nearest Speedtest server and start testing your download speed, upload speed, and ping. The results will be displayed right in your terminal.

Understanding the Output

When the test is complete, you'll see something like this:

Retrieving speedtest.net configuration...
Testing from [Your ISP] ([Your IP Address])...
Retrieving speedtest.net server list...
Selecting best server based on ping...
Hosted by [Server Host] ([Server Location]) [Distance] ms
Ping: [Ping] ms
Download: [Download Speed] Mbit/s
Upload: [Upload Speed] Mbit/s

Ping: This is the latency of your connection. Lower is better. It measures how quickly your computer can send a signal to the server and back.
Download: This is how fast you can download data from the internet. Measured in megabits per second (Mbit/s).
Upload: This is how fast you can upload data to the internet. Also measured in megabits per second (Mbit/s).

Understanding the output of Speedtest CLI is crucial for interpreting your internet connection's performance. The ping value indicates the responsiveness of your connection, with lower values signifying a faster, more responsive connection. This is particularly important for online gaming and other real-time applications where low latency is essential. The download speed reflects how quickly you can receive data from the internet, which affects activities like streaming videos, downloading files, and browsing websites. Higher download speeds allow for smoother streaming, faster downloads, and a more responsive web browsing experience. The upload speed, on the other hand, indicates how quickly you can send data to the internet. This is important for activities like video conferencing, uploading files, and sending emails with large attachments. Higher upload speeds enable smoother video calls, faster file uploads, and a more efficient online experience. By regularly monitoring these metrics with Speedtest CLI, you can gain valuable insights into your internet connection's performance and identify potential issues. For example, consistently low download speeds might indicate a problem with your internet service provider, while high ping values could suggest network congestion or a problem with your router. By understanding and tracking these metrics, you can take proactive steps to optimize your internet connection and ensure a smooth and reliable online experience. Moreover, Speedtest CLI allows you to compare your results over time, providing a historical view of your internet performance and helping you identify trends or anomalies.

Advanced Options

Speedtest CLI isn't just about running a basic speed test. It has some cool advanced options that let you customize your tests. Here are a few of them:

Specifying a Server

Want to test against a specific Speedtest server? You can do that! First, you need to find the server ID. Run this command to list available servers:

speedtest --list

This will give you a list of servers with their IDs, locations, and ping times. Then, to test against a specific server, use the --server option followed by the server ID:

speedtest --server [server ID]

Replace [server ID] with the actual server ID you want to use.

Getting Results in JSON Format

If you're a developer or want to parse the results in a script, you might want the output in JSON format. Use the --json option:

speedtest --json

This will give you the results in JSON format, which is easy to parse with programming languages like Python or JavaScript.

Getting Results in CSV Format

Similarly, you can get the results in CSV format using the --csv option:

speedtest --csv

This is useful for importing the data into spreadsheets or databases.

Sharing the Results

Want to share your speed test results with others? Use the --share option:

speedtest --share

This will upload the results to Speedtest.net and give you a shareable URL.

Exploring Speedtest CLI's advanced options opens up a world of possibilities for customizing your internet speed tests and integrating them into various workflows. Specifying a particular server, for example, allows you to test your connection against a specific location or network, which can be useful for troubleshooting network issues or comparing performance across different regions. Getting results in JSON format enables seamless integration with scripting languages and automation tools, allowing you to programmatically analyze and monitor your internet connection over time. This is particularly useful for network administrators and developers who need to track network performance and identify potential bottlenecks. The CSV format option provides a convenient way to export the results to spreadsheets or databases for further analysis and reporting. This can be helpful for tracking trends in your internet speed, comparing performance across different time periods, or generating reports for management or stakeholders. Finally, the ability to share your results with a simple command makes it easy to collaborate with others and troubleshoot network issues together. Whether you're a developer, network administrator, or just a curious user, Speedtest CLI's advanced options provide a powerful set of tools for understanding and optimizing your internet connection. By mastering these options, you can gain deeper insights into your network performance and ensure a smooth and reliable online experience. The ability to tailor the tests to specific needs and use cases makes Speedtest CLI an invaluable asset for anyone who relies on a stable and fast internet connection.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Speedtest CLI is a fantastic tool for quickly and easily checking your internet speed from the command line. It's perfect for troubleshooting, monitoring, or just satisfying your curiosity. Give it a try and see how fast your internet really is!