Learn how to use speedtest cli tool to test internet speed in Linux terminal. Also includes one liner python command to get speed details right away.
![test internet speed in linux terminal][1]
Most of us check the internet bandwidth speed whenever we connect to new network or wifi. So why not our servers! Here is a tutorial which will walk you through to test internet speed in Linux terminal.
Everyone of us generally uses [Speedtest by Ookla][2] to check internet speed. Its pretty simple process for a desktop. Goto their website and just click GO button. It will scans your location and speed test with nearest server. If you are on mobile, they have their app for you. But if you are on terminal with command line interface things are little different. Lets see how to check internet speed from Linux terminal.
If you want to speed check only once and dont want to download tool on server, jump here and see one liner command.
### Step 1 : Download speedtest cli tool
First of all, you have to download speedtest CLI tool from [github repository][3]. Now a days, its also included in many well known Linux repositories as well. If its their in yours then you can directly [install that package on your Linux distro][4].
Lets proceed with Github download and install process. [Install git package][4] depending on your distro. Then clone Github repo of speedtest like belwo :
It will be cloned to your present working directory. New directory named `speedtest-cli` will be created. You can see below files in it.
```
[root@kerneltalks ~]# cd speedtest-cli
[root@kerneltalks speedtest-cli]# ll
total 96
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 1671 Oct 7 16:55 CONTRIBUTING.md
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 11358 Oct 7 16:55 LICENSE
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 35 Oct 7 16:55 MANIFEST.in
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 5215 Oct 7 16:55 README.rst
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 20 Oct 7 16:55 setup.cfg
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 3196 Oct 7 16:55 setup.py
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 2385 Oct 7 16:55 speedtest-cli.1
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 1200 Oct 7 16:55 speedtest_cli.py
-rwxr-xr-x. 1 root root 47228 Oct 7 16:55 speedtest.py
-rw-r--r--. 1 root root 333 Oct 7 16:55 tox.ini
```
The python script `speedtest.py` is the one we will be using to check internet speed.
You can link this script for a command in /usr/bin so that all users on server can use it. Or you can even create [command alias][5] for it and it will be easy for all users to use it.
### Step 2 : Run python script
Now, run python script without any argument and it will search nearest server and test your internet speed.
6403) YOU Broadband India Pvt Ltd., Mumbai (Mumbai, India) [1.15 km]
```
You can see here, first column is server identifier followed by name of company hosting that server, location and finally its distance from your location.
**To test internet speed using specific server** use `--server` switch and server identifier from previous output as argument.
**To get share link of your speed test** , use `--share` switch. It will give you URL of your test hosted on speedtest website. You can share this URL.
