Check Network Adapter Speed on Windows

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To check your network adapter speed on Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet > Status, then click “Properties” under your active connection—the Link speed (e.g., 100/1000 Mbps) is listed there. Alternatively, use the Command Prompt with netsh interface show interface or PowerShell with Get-NetAdapter | Select Name, LinkSpeed for a quick readout. This article explains each method in detail, what the numbers mean, and how to troubleshoot when the speed seems wrong.

Why Check Your Network Adapter Speed?

Your network adapter speed determines the maximum data transfer rate between your PC and your router or switch. It is a physical cap—even if your internet plan is faster, you won’t get more than this link speed. Knowing this number helps you:

Diagnose slow file transfers on your local network (e.g., copying to a NAS).
Confirm whether your PC is connected at gigabit (1000 Mbps) or a lower speed like 100 Mbps.
Decide if an adapter upgrade or cable replacement is worthwhile.
Troubleshoot why your internet speed test results are lower than expected.

Most modern Ethernet adapters support 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps), while Wi-Fi adapters vary widely—from 150 Mbps on older 802.11n to over 2400 Mbps on Wi-Fi 6. The actual throughput you see in practice is always lower than the link speed due to overhead, so don’t be alarmed if a speed test shows 900 Mbps on a gigabit connection.

Method 1: Using Windows Settings (GUI)

The easiest way for most users is through the Settings app. This works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Network & Internet (or Network & Internet > Status on Windows 10).
Click Properties on your active connection (labeled “Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi”).
Scroll down to the Properties section. Look for Link speed (Receive/Transmit)—it shows values like 1000/1000 (Mbps).

On Windows 11, the path is slightly different: Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then click the connected network name. The link speed appears under the network details.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you prefer the command line, both Command Prompt and PowerShell offer quick commands. These are useful for scripting or when you need to check multiple adapters at once.

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell (as administrator or regular user—both work) and run:

netsh interface show interface — shows the name, state, and speed (in Mbps) for each interface.
powershell "Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, LinkSpeed" — gives a clean table of adapter names and their link speeds.

For a more detailed view, use wmic nic where NetEnabled=true get Name, Speed (in Command Prompt) or Get-NetAdapter | Format-List Name, LinkSpeed, MediaType in PowerShell. The speed is reported in bits per second (bps) in some older tools, so divide by 1,000,000 to get Mbps.

Method 3: Via the Control Panel (Classic View)

If you prefer the traditional Control Panel, you can also find the link speed there.

Open Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).
Go to Network and Sharing Center.
Click Change adapter settings on the left sidebar.
Right-click your active adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Status.
In the Status window, the Speed field shows the current link speed (e.g., 1.0 Gbps).

This method also shows the number of bytes sent and received, which can be useful for quick diagnostics.

Understanding the Numbers: Mbps vs. MB/s vs. Gbps

You’ll see speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). Here’s how to convert:

1 byte = 8 bits, so 100 MB/s (megabytes per second) = 800 Mbps.
1 Gbps = 1000 Mbps.
Typical link speeds: 10 Mbps (old), 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), 1000 Mbps (Gigabit), 2500 Mbps (2.5G), 5000 Mbps (5G), 10000 Mbps (10G).

When you download a file, your browser shows MB/s, not Mbps. So a gigabit connection (1000 Mbps) theoretically yields about 125 MB/s, but in practice you’ll see 110–118 MB/s due to protocol overhead. Don’t be confused if your speed test shows 940 Mbps—that’s normal for gigabit.

Why Is My Adapter Speed Lower Than Expected?

Several factors can cause your adapter to negotiate a lower speed than its maximum:

Cable quality: For Ethernet, use at least Cat5e for gigabit. Old Cat5 cables may only support 100 Mbps.
Router/switch port: Some devices have 10/100 ports only. Check your router’s specs.
Driver issues: Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause the adapter to fall back to a lower speed.
Wi-Fi interference: Wireless speeds are affected by distance, walls, and interference from other devices. The link speed shown is the current negotiated rate, which can fluctuate.
Power saving settings: Some adapters reduce speed to save power. You can disable this in the adapter’s properties under Power Management.

If you see 100 Mbps on a gigabit adapter, first try a different Ethernet cable. If that doesn’t help, update the driver from the manufacturer’s website or check the adapter’s link speed and duplex settings in Device Manager (set to Auto Negotiation).

How to Check Adapter Speed in Device Manager

Device Manager shows the adapter’s capabilities and current settings, which can be helpful for troubleshooting.

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your adapter and select Properties.
Go to the Advanced tab. Look for Speed & Duplex (or similar). The value shows the current mode (e.g., “Auto Negotiation”, “100 Mbps Full Duplex”).

This does not show the actual link speed, but it shows the configured maximum. If it’s set to a fixed value like “100 Mbps Full Duplex,” change it to “Auto Negotiation” to allow the highest speed. Also check the Link Speed in the General tab? Actually, the General tab doesn’t show it; use the methods above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Link speed (Receive/Transmit)” mean?

It shows the current negotiated speed for both receiving and transmitting data. For example, “1000/1000 (Mbps)” means both directions operate at 1000 Mbps. If you see different numbers (e.g., 100/100), it indicates a mismatch—often due to cable or port limitations.

Why does my Wi-Fi adapter show a speed like 300 Mbps but my internet is only 100 Mbps?

The link speed is the maximum between your PC and the router, not your internet connection. Your internet speed is capped by your ISP plan. A 300 Mbps Wi-Fi link can still deliver your 100 Mbps internet, but if your link drops below 100 Mbps, you’ll see reduced internet speeds.

Can I increase my network adapter speed?

Yes, but only up to the hardware’s limit. For Ethernet, ensure you have a gigabit-capable cable (Cat5e or better) and that your router/switch supports gigabit. For Wi-Fi, move closer to the router, reduce interference, or upgrade to a newer Wi-Fi standard (e.g., Wi-Fi 5/6). Also update drivers and disable power-saving modes.

Is there a difference between link speed and actual throughput?

Yes. Link speed is the theoretical maximum, while throughput is what you actually get. Overhead from protocols (TCP/IP, Ethernet headers) reduces throughput by about 5–10%. For gigabit, expect 940–990 Mbps in ideal conditions. For Wi-Fi, overhead is higher, often 50–60% of the link speed.

How do I check the speed of a network adapter that is not currently connected?

Use PowerShell: Get-NetAdapter | Select Name, LinkSpeed will show all adapters, including disabled or disconnected ones. The LinkSpeed column will show the current speed or “0 bps” if not connected. For the maximum supported speed, check the adapter’s specifications online or in Device Manager’s Advanced tab.

Why does my Ethernet show 100 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps?

This is usually a cable issue. Make sure you’re using Cat5e or Cat6 cable. Also check that the router/switch port is gigabit-capable. Sometimes, a faulty pin in the RJ45 connector can cause a fallback. Try a different cable and port. If it persists, update the network driver.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.