Speedtest CLI: Test Internet Speed On Linux

Oct 30, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 44 views

Hey there, Linux enthusiasts! Ever wondered how to check your internet speed directly from your terminal? Well, you're in luck! In this article, we're diving deep into the Speedtest Command Line Interface (CLI) – a nifty tool that lets you measure your internet connection's performance right from your Linux terminal.

Why Use Speedtest CLI on Linux?

Let's be real, guys. We've all been there. You're streaming your favorite show, and suddenly, buffering kicks in. Or maybe you're trying to video call your friends, and the connection is just…laggy. Before you start blaming your ISP or router, it's good to know exactly what speeds you're getting.

Speedtest CLI offers several advantages over using a web browser for speed tests:

Convenience: No need to open a browser and navigate to a website. Just run a simple command in your terminal.
Automation: You can easily script speed tests to run automatically at scheduled intervals. This is super useful for monitoring your connection's performance over time.
Server Selection: While the CLI automatically selects the best server, you can also manually specify a server for testing, ensuring consistent results.
No Ads or Distractions: Unlike web-based speed tests, the CLI provides a clean, ad-free experience.
Lightweight: The CLI is a small, lightweight application that doesn't consume a lot of system resources.

Basically, Speedtest CLI is your go-to tool when you need accurate and consistent speed test results without the hassle of a web browser. Plus, it's just plain cool to use the command line, right? Whether you're a sysadmin troubleshooting network issues or just a curious user wanting to monitor your internet speed, the Speedtest CLI is an invaluable asset to your Linux toolkit. Its ease of use, combined with its powerful features, makes it a must-have for anyone serious about understanding and optimizing their network performance.

Installing Speedtest CLI on Linux

Okay, so you're sold on the idea. Great! Now, how do you actually get Speedtest CLI on your Linux machine? Don't worry; it's a piece of cake. The installation process is straightforward, and I'll walk you through it step by step.

Step-by-Step Installation

Download the Speedtest CLI: First, you need to download the appropriate package for your Linux distribution. You can usually find the latest version on the official Speedtest website or through their official distribution channels. Make sure you grab the correct version for your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
Extract the Package: Once the download is complete, extract the contents of the package. This usually involves using a command like tar -xvzf <package_name.tar.gz> or a similar command, depending on the package format.
Install the Executable: Navigate to the extracted directory. You'll typically find an executable file named speedtest or something similar. You'll want to move this executable to a directory in your system's PATH, such as /usr/local/bin/, so you can run it from anywhere in the terminal. Use the command sudo mv <executable_name> /usr/local/bin/.
Make it Executable: After moving the file, make sure it's executable by running sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/<executable_name>. This gives the file the necessary permissions to be executed.

Installation via Package Manager

For some distributions, you might be able to install Speedtest CLI directly through your system's package manager. This is often the easiest and most convenient method.

Debian/Ubuntu: Try running sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install speedtest-cli. If it's available in the repositories, this should install it automatically.
Fedora/CentOS: Use sudo dnf install speedtest-cli or sudo yum install speedtest-cli respectively.
Arch Linux: Use sudo pacman -S speedtest-cli.

Verifying the Installation

After installation, it's always a good idea to verify that everything is working correctly. Open your terminal and type speedtest --version. If Speedtest CLI is installed correctly, it should display the version number.

Pro Tip: If you encounter any issues during installation, double-check that you have the necessary dependencies installed and that you're using the correct package for your distribution. The installation process might vary slightly depending on your specific Linux distribution, but these general steps should get you up and running in no time. With Speedtest CLI successfully installed, you're now ready to start measuring your internet speed directly from the command line! How cool is that?

Using Speedtest CLI

Alright, you've got Speedtest CLI installed – awesome! Now comes the fun part: actually using it. Don't worry, it's super simple. The basic command is just speedtest, but there are also a bunch of cool options you can use to customize your tests.

Basic Speed Test

To run a basic speed test, just open your terminal and type:

speedtest

Hit enter, and Speedtest CLI will automatically find the nearest server and start testing your download and upload speeds. The results will be displayed right in your terminal, giving you a clear picture of your current internet performance.

Advanced Options

But wait, there's more! Speedtest CLI comes with several options that let you fine-tune your speed tests.

Selecting a Specific Server: If you want to test your connection against a specific server, you can use the --server option followed by the server ID. To see a list of available servers, use the speedtest --list command.
```
speedtest --server <server_id>
```
Getting Results in Bytes: By default, Speedtest CLI displays results in bits per second. If you prefer to see the results in bytes per second, use the --bytes option.
```
speedtest --bytes
```
Using a Simple Output: If you just want the raw numbers without all the extra information, use the --simple option. This will give you a simplified output with just the ping, download speed, and upload speed.
```
speedtest --simple
```
Sharing Results: You can also share your speed test results by using the --share option. This will upload your results to Speedtest.net and provide you with a shareable URL.
```
speedtest --share
```
Saving Results to a File: To save your speed test results to a file, you can redirect the output to a file using the > operator.
```
speedtest > results.txt
```

Remember: Experiment with these options to get the most out of Speedtest CLI. Whether you're troubleshooting network issues or just curious about your internet speed, these options can help you get the information you need quickly and easily. Using these options, you can tailor your speed tests to your specific needs and gain valuable insights into your network performance. It's all about making the tool work for you and getting the data you need to make informed decisions about your internet connection.

Automating Speed Tests

Now, let's talk about automation. Imagine being able to automatically run speed tests at regular intervals and log the results. This is where the real power of Speedtest CLI shines. By using cron jobs, you can schedule speed tests to run in the background without any manual intervention.

Setting Up Cron Jobs

Cron is a time-based job scheduler in Linux that allows you to automate tasks. To set up a cron job for Speedtest CLI, follow these steps:

Open the Crontab: Open the crontab file by running crontab -e in your terminal. This will open the crontab file in a text editor.
Add a New Job: Add a new line to the crontab file with the schedule and command you want to run. The syntax for a cron job is:
```
minute hour day month weekday command
```
For example, to run a speed test every hour, you would add the following line:
```
0 * * * * speedtest --simple >> /path/to/speedtest.log
```
This command runs speedtest --simple every hour on the hour and appends the output to the /path/to/speedtest.log file. Remember to replace /path/to/speedtest.log with the actual path to your desired log file.
Save and Exit: Save the crontab file and exit the text editor. Cron will automatically pick up the changes and start running your scheduled job.

Example Cron Jobs

Here are a few more example cron jobs to get you started:

Run a speed test every day at midnight:

0 0 * * * speedtest --simple >> /path/to/speedtest.log

Run a speed test every 30 minutes:

*/30 * * * * speedtest --simple >> /path/to/speedtest.log

Run a speed test every Monday at 8 AM:

0 8 * * 1 speedtest --simple >> /path/to/speedtest.log

Important: Make sure the command you're running in the cron job has the correct path to the speedtest executable. You can find the full path by running which speedtest in your terminal.

Analyzing the Results

Once you've set up your cron jobs and started logging the results, you can analyze the data to track your internet connection's performance over time. You can use tools like grep, awk, and sed to extract specific information from the log file and create graphs or charts to visualize the data. For example, you could use grep to find the average download speed for each day or use awk to calculate the average ping time over a week.

Automating your speed tests with cron jobs is a great way to monitor your internet connection's performance and identify any potential issues. By tracking your speed over time, you can spot trends, identify periods of slow performance, and take action to improve your connection.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with a straightforward tool like Speedtest CLI, you might run into a few snags along the way. Let's tackle some common issues and how to resolve them.

"Command Not Found"

If you get a "command not found" error when trying to run speedtest, it usually means that the Speedtest CLI executable is not in your system's PATH. Double-check that you moved the executable to a directory in your PATH, such as /usr/local/bin/, and that you made it executable using chmod +x.

Permission Denied

If you get a "permission denied" error, it means that you don't have the necessary permissions to execute the speedtest command. Make sure the executable has execute permissions by running chmod +x /usr/local/bin/speedtest.

Slow or Inconsistent Results

If you're getting slow or inconsistent results, there could be several factors at play. First, make sure that no other applications are using your internet connection while you're running the speed test. Close any unnecessary programs and pause any downloads or uploads. Also, try testing against different servers using the --server option to see if a particular server is causing the issue. Network congestion, interference from other devices, and even the capabilities of your hardware can all affect your speed test results. Experiment with different servers and testing times to get a more accurate picture of your connection's performance.

Connection Errors

If you're getting connection errors, such as "connection refused" or "timeout," it could indicate a problem with your internet connection or the server you're trying to test against. Check your internet connection and try again later. You can also try testing against a different server to see if the issue is specific to a particular server.

Firewall Issues

Sometimes, firewall settings can interfere with Speedtest CLI. Make sure that your firewall is not blocking the connections made by Speedtest CLI. You may need to add a rule to your firewall to allow Speedtest CLI to communicate with the internet.

Remember: Troubleshooting network issues can sometimes feel like a puzzle, but with a systematic approach, you can usually identify and resolve the problem. When troubleshooting Speedtest CLI, start by checking the basics, such as the executable path and permissions. Then, move on to more advanced issues, such as network congestion and firewall settings. With a bit of patience and persistence, you'll be back to testing your internet speed in no time.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Speedtest CLI is a powerful and convenient tool for measuring your internet speed on Linux. Whether you're troubleshooting network issues, monitoring your connection's performance over time, or just curious about your speed, Speedtest CLI has you covered. With its ease of use, automation capabilities, and wealth of options, it's a must-have for any Linux user who wants to stay on top of their network performance. Now, go forth and test your speed! And remember, knowledge is power – especially when it comes to your internet connection.