How to Speed Test Your Internet From the Linux Command Line

If you’re using Linux and want to check your internet speed without opening a browser or dealing with bloated GUI tools, you’re in luck. You can get accurate results straight from the terminal in under a minute.

Here’s how.

1. Use speedtest-cli

The most popular command-line tool for testing internet speed is speedtest-cli. It uses Speedtest.net’s infrastructure and is reliable across most Linux distributions.

Install speedtest-cli

On Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install speedtest-cli

On Fedora:

sudo dnf install speedtest-cli

On Arch:

sudo pacman -S speedtest-cli

Run a Speed Test

Once installed, just run:

speedtest

You’ll get output showing your ping, download speed, and upload speed.

2. Try fast for Simplicity

Netflix’s fast.com service has a CLI tool too, called fast. It’s dead simple if all you care about is download speed.

Install fast

Using npm:

npm install --global fast-cli

Run It

fast

Quick and clean, though you won’t get ping or upload speed.

3. Use nperf or LibreSpeed for More Control (Optional)

If you’re looking for alternatives that let you choose a server or customize tests, consider:

• LibreSpeed CLI – A self-hostable, privacy-friendly option.
• nPerf CLI – Not officially supported but possible via scripting.

These are a bit more involved but useful in enterprise or network testing environments.

Bonus: Script It

Want to log your internet speed over time? Here’s a quick bash script:

#!/bin/bash
timestamp=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')
speed=$(speedtest-cli --simple)
echo "$timestamp - $speed" >> ~/speedtest-log.txt

Make it executable:

chmod +x speed_logger.sh

Run it manually or schedule it with cron.

Conclusion

You don’t need a browser to check your internet speed. Tools like speedtest-cli and fast-cli give you quick insights directly from the Linux command line. Whether you’re diagnosing a slow connection or keeping tabs on your ISP, the terminal has your back.