Are you a tech enthusiast or a network administrator looking for a way to test your internet speed directly from the command line? Well, you're in luck! The Speedtest CLI (Command Line Interface) is a nifty tool provided by Speedtest.net that allows you to do just that. Forget about opening your browser and navigating to the Speedtest website – with a few simple commands, you can get accurate and detailed information about your internet connection's performance. This article will dive deep into what Speedtest CLI is, how to install it, how to use it effectively, and why it might just become your new favorite tool for network diagnostics. Whether you're troubleshooting slow internet speeds, optimizing your network, or just curious about your connection's capabilities, the Speedtest CLI has got you covered. So, let's get started and explore the power of testing your internet speed from the command line!

What is Speedtest CLI?

Speedtest CLI is the command-line version of the popular Speedtest.net internet speed testing service. Instead of using a web browser, Speedtest CLI allows users to perform speed tests directly from their terminal or command prompt. This is particularly useful for system administrators, developers, and anyone who prefers a command-line interface for network diagnostics. The Speedtest CLI tool provides detailed information about your internet connection, including download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter. This data helps you understand the performance and stability of your network. One of the key advantages of using Speedtest CLI is its ability to be integrated into scripts and automated tasks. For example, you can schedule regular speed tests to monitor network performance over time or use it to diagnose network issues in remote servers. Additionally, the command-line interface makes it easier to capture and analyze data without the overhead of a graphical user interface. The Speedtest CLI is available for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broad compatibility. This flexibility allows you to use the tool on your preferred platform, whether you're working on a local machine or managing a remote server. The tool is lightweight and efficient, making it a valuable asset for network troubleshooting and optimization. By providing a straightforward and reliable way to measure internet speed, Speedtest CLI empowers users to take control of their network performance.

Installation Guide

Installing Speedtest CLI is a straightforward process that varies slightly depending on your operating system. Here’s a detailed guide to get you up and running on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Windows

1. Download the Executable:
   • Visit the official Speedtest CLI download page.
   • Download the Windows executable file (speedtest.exe).
2. Place the Executable in a Directory:
   • Create a new directory, such as C:\Speedtest, to store the executable.
   • Move the downloaded speedtest.exe file into this directory.
3. Add the Directory to Your System Path:
   • Open the Start Menu and search for “Edit the system environment variables”.
   • Click on “Environment Variables”.
   • In the “System variables” section, find the “Path” variable and click “Edit”.
   • Click “New” and add the path to your Speedtest directory (e.g., C:\Speedtest).
   • Click “OK” on all windows to save the changes.
4. Verify the Installation:
   • Open Command Prompt (cmd).
   • Type speedtest -v and press Enter.
   • If Speedtest CLI is installed correctly, it will display the version number.

macOS

1. Install Homebrew (if not already installed):
   • Open Terminal.
   • Run the following command:

     /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
     

   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
2. Install Speedtest CLI using Homebrew:
   • In Terminal, run:

     brew install speedtest-cli
     

   • Wait for the installation to complete.
3. Verify the Installation:
   • In Terminal, type speedtest -v and press Enter.
   • It should display the version number if installed correctly.

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

1. Download the Speedtest CLI:
   • Open Terminal.
   • Use wget to download the appropriate package:

     wget https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli/speedtest-cli_latest-linux-x86_64.deb
     

     • Note: Adjust the URL based on your system architecture (e.g., i386 for 32-bit systems).
2. Install the Package:
   • Run the following command:

     sudo dpkg -i speedtest-cli_latest-linux-x86_64.deb
     

   • If there are dependency issues, run:

     sudo apt-get install -f
     

3. Verify the Installation:
   • In Terminal, type speedtest -v and press Enter.
   • It should display the version number if installed correctly.

Linux (CentOS/RHEL)

1. Add the Speedtest CLI Repository:
   • Open Terminal.
   • Create a new repository file:

     sudo nano /etc/yum.repos.d/speedtest.repo
     

   • Add the following content to the file:

     [speedtest]
     name=Speedtest CLI
     baseurl=https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli
     enabled=1
     gpgcheck=0
     

   • Save and close the file.
2. Install Speedtest CLI:
   • Run the following command:

     sudo yum install speedtest-cli
     

3. Verify the Installation:
   • In Terminal, type speedtest -v and press Enter.
   • It should display the version number if installed correctly.

By following these instructions, you should have Speedtest CLI installed and ready to use on your system. Make sure to adjust the commands based on your specific distribution and system architecture.

Basic Usage and Commands

Once you have successfully installed Speedtest CLI, you can start using it to test your internet speed. Here are some basic commands and usage examples to get you started:

Running a Basic Speed Test

To perform a standard speed test, simply open your terminal or command prompt and type:

speedtest

Press Enter, and Speedtest CLI will begin testing your download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter. The results will be displayed in your terminal.

Displaying Results in Bytes

By default, Speedtest CLI displays speeds in bits per second (bps). If you prefer to see the results in bytes per second (Bps), you can use the --bytes option:

speedtest --bytes

This command will show the download and upload speeds in bytes instead of bits.

Specifying a Specific Server

Speedtest CLI automatically selects the best server based on your location. However, you can specify a particular server to use for the test with the --server option followed by the server ID. To list available servers, use the --list option:

speedtest --list

This will display a list of servers with their IDs, names, and distances from your location. Once you have the ID of the server you want to use, run the test with the following command:

speedtest --server [server ID]

Replace [server ID] with the actual ID of the server.

Getting Detailed Results

For more detailed results, including packet loss and other advanced metrics, you can use the --verbose option:

speedtest --verbose

This command will provide a more comprehensive output with additional information about your connection.

Saving Results to a File

If you want to save the results of your speed test to a file, you can redirect the output to a text file using the > operator:

speedtest > results.txt

This command will run the speed test and save the output to a file named results.txt in your current directory.

Accepting the License Agreement

When running Speedtest CLI for the first time, you may be prompted to accept the license agreement. You can accept the license agreement non-interactively using the --accept-license option:

speedtest --accept-license

This will accept the license agreement and prevent the prompt from appearing in future tests.

Getting Help

If you need help with Speedtest CLI commands and options, you can use the --help option:

speedtest --help

This will display a list of available commands and options with brief descriptions.

By mastering these basic commands, you can effectively use Speedtest CLI to monitor and troubleshoot your internet connection. Experiment with different options to gain a deeper understanding of your network performance.

Advanced Features and Options

Beyond the basic usage, Speedtest CLI offers a range of advanced features and options that can help you fine-tune your speed tests and gather more specific data about your network performance. These advanced options are particularly useful for network administrators, developers, and anyone who needs precise control over their speed testing.

Using Ping and Jitter Options

Ping measures the latency of your connection, while jitter measures the variability in latency. Speedtest CLI allows you to focus specifically on these metrics using the --ping and --jitter options.

speedtest --ping

This command will only display the ping time.

speedtest --jitter

This command will only display the jitter.

Combining these options with others can help you diagnose specific network issues related to latency and stability.

Selecting a Specific Interface

If your system has multiple network interfaces, you can specify which interface to use for the speed test with the --interface option followed by the interface name or IP address:

speedtest --interface eth0

Replace eth0 with the name of your network interface. This is particularly useful when testing the performance of a specific network connection on a multi-homed system.

Using the Single Connection Mode

By default, Speedtest CLI uses multiple connections to maximize the speed test. However, you can force it to use a single connection with the --single option:

speedtest --single

This can be useful for simulating the performance of applications that use a single connection or for troubleshooting issues related to multi-connection performance.

Ignoring the Server Selection

If you want to prevent Speedtest CLI from automatically selecting the best server, you can use the --no-select option. This will force the tool to use the server you specify with the --server option, even if it is not the closest or fastest server.

speedtest --server [server ID] --no-select

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

Getting the Result URL

Speedtest CLI can provide a URL to the result on the Speedtest.net website using the --share option:

speedtest --share

This will display a URL that you can use to view and share the results of your speed test.

Disabling Pre-Test and Post-Test Stages

Speedtest CLI performs a pre-test stage to determine the optimal settings for the speed test and a post-test stage for additional data collection. You can disable these stages with the --no-pre and --no-post options:

speedtest --no-pre --no-post

This can reduce the time it takes to run the speed test, but it may also affect the accuracy of the results.

Setting a Timeout

You can set a timeout for the speed test with the --timeout option followed by the number of seconds:

speedtest --timeout 10

This will stop the speed test after 10 seconds, even if it has not completed. This can be useful for preventing the test from running indefinitely if there are network issues.

By leveraging these advanced features and options, you can customize Speedtest CLI to meet your specific needs and gather more detailed and accurate data about your network performance. Experiment with different options to discover how they can help you troubleshoot and optimize your network.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with a straightforward tool like Speedtest CLI, you might encounter some issues during installation or usage. Here are some common problems and their solutions to help you troubleshoot effectively.

Installation Errors

• Problem: Speedtest CLI fails to install, displaying errors related to dependencies or permissions.
  • Solution:
    • Windows: Ensure you have added the Speedtest CLI directory to your system's PATH. Run the installer as an administrator.
    • macOS: Make sure Homebrew is correctly installed and updated. Run brew update and brew doctor to identify and fix any issues.
    • Linux: Verify that you have the necessary dependencies installed. Use sudo apt-get install -f on Debian/Ubuntu or sudo yum install on CentOS/RHEL to resolve dependency issues. Also, ensure you have the correct permissions to install software.
• Problem: