1. What Is Latency?

Latency refers to the delay between a stimulus and the corresponding response. In computing and networking, it represents the time delay in data transmission and processing.

2. How Is Latency Calculated?

The latency is calculated using the simple formula:

Where:

• \( Latency \) — Time delay in seconds (s)
• \( End\ Time \) — Time when response is received (s)
• \( Start\ Time \) — Time when stimulus is sent (s)

Explanation: This calculation measures the total time taken for a complete cycle from initiation to completion of an action or data transmission.

3. Importance of Latency Calculation

Details: Accurate latency measurement is crucial for network performance optimization, real-time applications, gaming, video conferencing, and system responsiveness analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both start time and end time in seconds. Ensure end time is greater than start time for valid calculation. Use precise time measurements for accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units are used for latency measurement?
A: Latency is typically measured in seconds (s), milliseconds (ms), or microseconds (μs), depending on the application context.

Q2: What is considered good latency?
A: For most applications, latency under 100ms is good, under 50ms is excellent, and over 200ms may cause noticeable delays.

Q3: How does latency differ from bandwidth?
A: Latency measures time delay, while bandwidth measures data transfer capacity. Low latency doesn't guarantee high bandwidth, and vice versa.

Q4: What factors affect latency?
A: Distance, network congestion, hardware performance, protocol overhead, and processing delays all contribute to overall latency.

Q5: Can latency be negative?
A: No, latency cannot be negative as it represents a time duration. End time must always be greater than or equal to start time.