Network Tools Network Information API effectiveType downlink

Connection Information

Show Network Information hints when available. Not a speed test; often missing in Safari/Firefox.

Interactive tool

Run the test

Runs in your browser

Shows coarse network hints when the browser provides them (not a speed test). Safari and Firefox often show unsupported. No permission is required.

Reading connection information…

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Permission status

Checked in your browser. DeviceHub does not store permission grants.

  • Special permission Not required

Live results

Metrics update as you run the test. Nothing is uploaded.

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Waiting for interactive tool output…

Device information

Labels and capability details reported by your browser.

No device details yet.

Description

About Connection Information

Introduction

This page shows coarse network hints from the browser when the Network Information API exists. It is not a speed test. Safari and Firefox often provide nothing. Expect labels like connection type or rough downlink — not ISP proof.

What this tool does

When available, it shows effective type, downlink, RTT, and save-data style fields. When missing, it reports unsupported.

When to use it

Use it for a quick Chromium hint. Use a real speed test or IP tools when you need measured performance or path identity.

How it works

Supported: many Chrome/Edge builds. Unsupported: Safari and often Firefox. Why: the API is optional and privacy-sensitive. Permissions: none. Hardware: any network path; values can still say “4g” on Wi‑Fi. Expected: coarse hints or unsupported — never a certified Mbps measurement.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open Connection Information in Chrome or Edge for best chances.
  2. Read the hint fields if present.
  3. If unsupported, use a dedicated speed test instead.

Common problems

Empty in Safari is normal. “4g” on home Wi‑Fi is a coarse label, not literal LTE.

Privacy explanation

Hints are read locally. DeviceHub does not upload connection metadata from this page.

Runtime principles

Built for the browser

What happens when you run this test — without downloads or accounts.

  1. 01

    Runs in your browser

    Connection Information uses standard web APIs — no install, extension, or desktop app required.

  2. 02

    Reads what the browser allows

    Results come from events and capability signals the web platform exposes for this session.

  3. 03

    Private by default

    Input and diagnostic values stay in your browser session for display — nothing is sold as media.

Compatibility

Supported browsers

Expected support for modern engines. Individual APIs may still vary by device.

  • Chrome

    supported

    Latest stable

  • Firefox

    supported

    Latest stable

  • Safari

    supported

    Latest stable

  • Edge

    supported

    Latest stable

Devices

Supported devices

Hardware and form factors this browser test is designed to exercise.

  • Wi‑Fi connections

    Browser network hints when the Network Information API exists.

  • Ethernet

    Desktop sessions with stable connectivity signals.

  • Cellular

    Mobile browsers that expose connection type hints.

Privacy

Your data stays with you

Connection Information is built privacy-first. Diagnostics run in your browser session whenever web APIs allow.

Read our privacy policy

Troubleshooting

Common problems

Quick fixes before you dig into FAQs.

Network Information API unsupported
Safari and some Firefox builds omit navigator.connection. Try Chrome or Edge on desktop or Android; absence is common, not a DeviceHub bug.
Values look stale until I switch networks
The page listens for change events. Toggle Wi-Fi or cellular and wait for refresh; some browsers update slowly.
effectiveType disagrees with speed test
effectiveType is a coarse browser estimate, not a bandwidth meter. Use dedicated speed tests for throughput claims.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Structured answers for users and FAQ rich results.

Browse FAQs
Is this a speed test?
No. It shows browser network hints when available, not measured download speed.
What do browsers expose?
Optional fields like effective type, downlink, and RTT in some Chromium browsers.
What do they not expose?
Calibrated ISP throughput or a guarantee the API exists in every browser.
Which browsers work?
Often Chrome and Edge. Safari usually does not; Firefox often does not.
Permissions or hardware?
No permission. Any device can open the page.
What should I expect?
Coarse labels or unsupported — useful context, not a speed-test certificate.

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Updates coming soon

A lightweight email digest for new tools and release notes is planned. No signup form is live yet — check Release Notes for product updates.

Release notes

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