We tested uploading files from my home internet, which is pretty fast — it can download at 400 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload at 40 Mbps. That means it can send files much faster than many other home connections.
The server I was uploading to (in a data center) is even faster: it can download at 1500 Mbps and upload at 1000 Mbps. So, the slow part is my home connection, not the server.
Here’s how long it took me to upload files of different sizes from home:
| File Size | Time to Upload |
|---|---|
| 1 MB | 8 seconds |
| 50 MB | 17 seconds |
| 100 MB | 25 seconds |
| 150 MB | 39 seconds |
| 500 MB | 2 minutes |
| 1000 MB (1 GB) | 6 minutes, 40 seconds |
🔍 Tip: The bigger the file, the longer it takes to upload. Make sure you check the file size before uploading.
There are a few reasons uploading can be slow:
Your Internet Plan
Some plans are fast at downloading but much slower at uploading. For example, downloading a video may be quick, but sending a big file could take a while.
Other People Using the Internet
If other people in your house are watching videos or playing games online, it can slow your uploads.
How Far the Server Is
If the server is far away, the data takes longer to travel. It’s like mailing a package across the country instead of across town.
The Server Itself
Some servers have limits on how fast they can receive files, or they might be busy with other uploads.
Your Computer
If your computer is older or doing too many things at once, it might slow down the upload too.
Copying a file from one folder to another on your computer is way faster than uploading it to the internet.
For example, copying a 1 GB file on a modern computer might take:
1 to 4 seconds on a newer system (like SSD to SSD)
8 to 12 seconds on older hard drives
But uploading the same 1 GB file to a remote server could take:
15 seconds to 6+ minutes, depending on your internet speed.
So, uploading is usually much slower than copying files locally.
If you're working with big files, be patient — even with a fast internet connection, uploads can take time. And if your internet is slower than mine, it’ll take even longer.