Speedtest CLI: Test Your Internet Speed From Command Line

by Jhon Lennon 58 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to quickly check your internet speed without opening a browser? Well, you're in luck! The Speedtest CLI tool is here to save the day. This command-line interface lets you run speed tests directly from your terminal, giving you instant insights into your network performance. Let's dive into what it is, how to install it, and how to use it effectively.

What is Speedtest CLI?

The Speedtest CLI is essentially the command-line version of the popular Speedtest.net website. Instead of navigating to a website and clicking buttons, you can execute a simple command in your terminal to get your download speed, upload speed, and ping. This is incredibly useful for system administrators, developers, or anyone who prefers the efficiency of the command line. It's a lightweight tool that provides accurate results, making it a favorite among tech enthusiasts.

Think of it as having a pocket-sized internet speed tester. Whether you're troubleshooting network issues, monitoring your internet performance over time, or just curious about your current speed, the Speedtest CLI offers a convenient and reliable solution. Plus, it eliminates the distractions of a web browser, giving you a clean and focused testing environment.

One of the key advantages of using the Speedtest CLI is its automation capabilities. You can easily incorporate it into scripts to regularly monitor your internet speed and log the results. This is particularly useful for businesses that rely on a stable and fast internet connection. By automating speed tests, you can identify potential issues before they impact your operations.

Moreover, the Speedtest CLI supports various configuration options, allowing you to customize your tests according to your specific needs. You can select a specific server to test against, specify the number of connections to use, and even generate detailed reports. This level of control ensures that you get the most accurate and relevant results for your particular situation.

In summary, the Speedtest CLI is a powerful and versatile tool that brings the convenience of Speedtest.net to the command line. Its ease of use, automation capabilities, and customization options make it an indispensable asset for anyone who needs to monitor and troubleshoot their internet connection.

Installation

Alright, let's get this show on the road! Installing the Speedtest CLI is super straightforward. The process varies slightly depending on your operating system, but don't worry, I've got you covered for the most common ones.

macOS

If you're a Mac user, the easiest way to install Speedtest CLI is using Homebrew. If you don't have Homebrew installed, you can get it from brew.sh. Once you have Homebrew, just open your terminal and run:

brew install speedtest-cli

Homebrew will handle the installation process, downloading the necessary files and setting up the command for you. After the installation is complete, you can verify it by typing speedtest in your terminal and pressing Enter. If everything is set up correctly, you should see the Speedtest CLI interface.

Alternatively, if you prefer using MacPorts, you can install Speedtest CLI by running:

sudo port install speedtest-cli

MacPorts will handle the installation process similarly to Homebrew. Just make sure you have MacPorts installed and configured correctly before running the command.

Linux

For Linux users, the installation process is equally simple. Most distributions have package managers that make installing software a breeze. Here are a few common methods:

  • Debian/Ubuntu:

    sudo apt update
sudo apt install speedtest-cli

  • Fedora/CentOS/RHEL:

    sudo dnf install speedtest-cli

  • Arch Linux:

    sudo pacman -S speedtest-cli

These commands will update your package lists and install the Speedtest CLI from the official repositories. After the installation, you can verify it by typing speedtest in your terminal.

Windows

Windows users can install Speedtest CLI using a few different methods. One popular option is to use Chocolatey, a package manager for Windows. If you don't have Chocolatey installed, you can get it from chocolatey.org. Once you have Chocolatey, open your command prompt as an administrator and run:

choco install speedtest-cli

Chocolatey will handle the installation process, downloading the necessary files and setting up the command for you. After the installation is complete, you can verify it by typing speedtest in your command prompt.

Alternatively, you can download the Speedtest CLI executable directly from the official website and add it to your system's PATH environment variable. This allows you to run the command from any directory in your command prompt. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Download the Speedtest CLI executable from the official website.
  2. Extract the executable to a directory of your choice.
  3. Add the directory to your system's PATH environment variable.
  4. Open a new command prompt and type speedtest to verify the installation.

No matter which operating system you're using, the installation process should be relatively straightforward. Once you have Speedtest CLI installed, you're ready to start testing your internet speed from the command line.

Basic Usage

Okay, now that you've got Speedtest CLI installed, let's get down to business. Using it is incredibly simple. Just open your terminal or command prompt and type:

speedtest

Press Enter, and the tool will automatically find the nearest server and start testing your download speed, upload speed, and ping. The results will be displayed in your terminal, giving you a clear overview of your internet performance.

The output typically includes the following information:

  • Ping: The latency of your connection, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower ping values indicate a more responsive connection.
  • Download Speed: The rate at which data is transferred from the server to your computer, measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  • Upload Speed: The rate at which data is transferred from your computer to the server, measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

The Speedtest CLI also provides a link to the Speedtest.net website where you can view your results in a more graphical format. This is useful if you want to share your results with others or keep a record of your internet performance over time.

In addition to the basic command, there are several options you can use to customize your speed tests. For example, you can specify a particular server to test against by using the --server option followed by the server ID. You can find a list of available servers and their IDs by running the speedtest --list command.

Another useful option is --share, which generates a shareable image of your results. This is great for posting your speed test results on social media or sharing them with your friends.

Here are a few more examples of how you can use Speedtest CLI:

  • Testing against a specific server:

    speedtest --server 1234

    Replace 1234 with the actual server ID.

  • Generating a shareable image:

    speedtest --share

    This will generate an image file with your results that you can easily share.

  • Displaying the results in bytes instead of bits:

    speedtest --bytes

    This can be useful if you prefer to see your speeds in bytes per second.

The Speedtest CLI is a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of ways to monitor and troubleshoot your internet connection. By understanding the basic usage and available options, you can get the most out of this powerful command-line utility.

Advanced Options

Want to take your Speedtest CLI game to the next level? There are a bunch of advanced options that let you tweak the tests to your liking. Let's explore some of the most useful ones.

Server Selection

As mentioned earlier, you can specify a particular server to test against using the --server option. But how do you find the server ID? Just run:

speedtest --list

This will display a list of available servers, along with their IDs, names, and distances from your location. Choose the server that best suits your needs and use its ID with the --server option.

Specifying a Custom Configuration File

For more complex setups, you can create a custom configuration file that specifies various test parameters. This allows you to easily run the same test configuration multiple times without having to manually enter the options each time. To specify a custom configuration file, use the --config option followed by the path to the file.

Getting Detailed Output

If you need more detailed information about your speed test results, you can use the --json option to output the results in JSON format. This is particularly useful for scripting and automation, as it allows you to easily parse the results and extract the information you need.

Alternatively, you can use the --csv option to output the results in CSV format. This is useful for importing the results into a spreadsheet or database for further analysis.

Ignoring Errors

In some cases, you may want to ignore certain errors that occur during the speed test. For example, if you're running automated tests, you may want to ignore temporary network issues that don't significantly impact your overall internet performance. You can do this by using the --ignore-errors option.

Running Tests Non-Interactively

By default, Speedtest CLI runs interactively, displaying progress updates and prompts in the terminal. However, you can run the tests non-interactively by using the --non-interactive option. This is useful for scripting and automation, as it allows you to run the tests in the background without requiring any user input.

Getting Help

If you're ever unsure about how to use a particular option, you can always use the --help option to display a list of available options and their descriptions. This is a great way to learn more about the Speedtest CLI and how to use it effectively.

By mastering these advanced options, you can unlock the full potential of the Speedtest CLI and tailor your speed tests to your specific needs.

Conclusion

So there you have it! The Speedtest CLI tool is a fantastic way to quickly and accurately check your internet speed right from your command line. Whether you're a tech pro or just someone curious about your internet performance, this tool is a must-have. Its ease of use, combined with its powerful features and customization options, makes it an invaluable asset for anyone who wants to monitor and troubleshoot their network connection. Go ahead, give it a try, and see what your internet is really capable of!