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What is Latency? | How to Reduce Latency

  • By Gcore
  • 5 min read
What is Latency? | How to Reduce Latency

There are many factors that affect the speed of a web resource. One of them is network latency. Let’s take a closer look at what latency is, how it affects application performance, and how it can be reduced.

What is latency?

Broadly speaking, latency is any delay in the execution of some operations. There are different types of latencies: network latencies, audio latencies, when broadcasting video during livestreams, at the storage level, etc.

Basically, any type of latency results from the limitations of the speed at which any signal can be transmitted.

Most⁠—but not all⁠—latency types are measured in milliseconds. For example, when communicating between the CPU and SSD, microseconds are used to measure latency.

This article will focus on network latency, hereinafter referred to as “latency”.

Network latency (response time) is the delay that occurs when information is transferred across the network from point A to point B.

Imagine a web application deployed in a data center in Paris. This application is accessed by a user from Rome. The browser sends a request to the server at 9:22:03.000 CET. And the server receives it at 9:22:03.174 CET (UTC+1). The delay when sending this request is 174 ms.

This is a somewhat simplified example. It should be noted that data volume is not taken into account when measuring latency. It takes longer to transfer 1,000 MB of data than 1 KB. However, the data transfer rate can be the same, and the latency, in this case, will also be the same.

The concept of network latency is mainly used when discussing interactions between user devices and a data center. The lower the latency, the faster users will get access to the application that is hosted in the data center.

It is impossible to transmit data with no delays since nothing can travel faster than the speed of light.

What does network latency depend on?

The main factor that affects latency is distance. The closer the information source is to users, the faster the data will be transferred.

For example, a request from Rome to Naples (a little less than 200 km) takes about 10 ms. And the same request sent under the same conditions from Rome to Miami (a little over 8,000 km) will take about 120 ms.

There are other factors that affect network latency.

Network quality. At speeds above 10 Gbps, copper cables and connections show too much signal attenuation even over short distances, as little as within a few meters. With increasing interface speeds, fiber-optic network cables are mainly used.

Route. Data on the Internet is usually transmitted over more than one network. Information passes through several networks—autonomous systems. At the points of transition from one autonomous system to another, routers process data and send it to the required destination. Processing also takes time. Therefore, the more networks and IX there are on the package’s path, the longer it will take for it to be transferred.

Router performance. The faster the routers process data, the faster the information will reach its destination.

In some sources, the concept of network latency also includes the time the server needs to process a request and send a response. In this case, the server configuration, its capacity, and operation speed will also affect the latency. However, we will stick to the above definition, which includes only the time it takes to send the signal to its destination.

What is affected by network latency?

Latency affects other parameters of web resource performance, for example, the RTT and TTFB.

RTT (Round-Trip Time) is the time it takes for sent data to reach its destination, plus the time to confirm that the data has been received. Roughly speaking, this is the time it takes for data to travel back and forth.

TTFB (Time to First Byte) is the time from the moment the request is sent to the server until the first byte of information is received from it. Unlike the RTT, this indicator includes not only the time spent on delivering data but also the time the server takes to process it.

These indicators, in turn, affect the perception of speed and the user experience as a whole. The faster a web resource works, the more actively users will use it. Conversely, a slow application can negatively affect your online business.

What is considered optimal latency and how to measure it?

The easiest way to determine your resource’s latency is by measuring other speed indicators, for example, the RTT. This parameter is closest to latency. In many cases, it will be equal to twice the latency value (when the travel time to is equal to the travel time back).

It is very easy to measure it using the ping command. Open a command prompt, type “ping”, and enter the resource’s IP address or web address.

Let’s try to ping www.google.com as an example.

C:Usersusername>ping www.google.com

Exchange of packages with www.google.com [216.58.207.228] with 32 bytes of data

Response from 216.58.207.228: number of bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=16

Response from 216.58.207.228: number of bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=16

Response from 216.58.207.228: number of bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=16

Response from 216.58.207.228: number of bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=16

The time parameter is the RTT. In our example, it is 24 ms.

The optimal RTT value depends on the specifics of your project. On average, most specialists consider less than 100 ms to be a good indicator.

RTT valueIts meaning
<100 msVery good, no improvements required
100–200 msAcceptable, but can be improved
>200 msUnsatisfactory, improvements are required

How to reduce latency?

Here are some basic guidelines:

  • Reduce the distance between the data origin and the users. Try to place servers as close to your clients as possible.
  • Improve network connectivity. The more peer-to-peer partners (networks you can exchange traffic with) and route options you have, the better the route you can build and the faster the data will be transferred.
  • Improve traffic balancing. Distributing large amounts of data over different routes will help reduce the network load. In that way, information will be transferred faster.

Global CDN—a Content Delivery Network with many connected servers that collect information from the origin, cache it, and deliver it using the shortest route—will help with the first and second points. A global network with good connectivity will help you significantly reduce latency.

However, keep in mind that latency is only one factor affecting users’ perception of application performance. In some cases, the latency is very low, but the website still loads slowly. This happens, for example, when the server is slow in processing requests.

As a rule, complex optimization is required to significantly speed up the application. You can find the main acceleration tips in the article “How to increase your web resource speed”.

Summary

  1. Latency is the time it takes to deliver data across the network from one point to another.
  2. The main factor it depends on is distance. It is also affected by the network quality and the route (number of networks and traffic exchange points).
  3. Latency affects other parameters of the web resource performance, such as RTT and TTFB. They, in turn, affect conversion rates and search engine rankings.
  4. The easiest way to determine the latency of a resource is to measure the RTT. This can be done using the ping command. An optimal RTT is less than 100 ms.
  5. The most effective way to reduce latencies is to enable a CDN. Content delivery network will reduce the distance between the client and the data origin, as well as improve the routing. As a result, the information will be transferred faster.

Gcore CDN provides excellent data transfer speed. We deliver heavy files with minimal delays anywhere in the world.

We have a free plan. Test our network and see how your resource will speed up.

More about Gcore CDN

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Flexible DDoS mitigation with BGP Flowspec cover image

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Punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure are adjusted so that the user’s reading experience is seamless and doesn’t detract from the content.Step 3: Synchronization/spottingNext, the text and audio are aligned precisely. Each caption or subtitle’s timing is adjusted so it appears and disappears at the correct moment.Step 4: TranslationTranslation is required for content intended for consumption in multiple languages. During this stage, it’s important to consider format requirements and character limitations. For example, a caption that fits on two lines in English might require three in Spanish, and so in Spanish, one caption becomes two. As a result, additional synchronization might be necessary.Step 5: Simulation/display on screenFinally, the captions or subtitles need to be integrated onto the end user’s screen. Formatting issues might arise at this stage, requiring tweaks for an optimal user experience.How does the end user see subtitles and captions?After the technical process of creating captions and subtitles, the next step is understanding how these elements appear to the end user. The type of captions you choose can greatly impact the user experience, especially when considering accessibility, engagement, and clarity. Below, we break down the different options available and how they serve different viewing scenarios.Open captions: These are always visible to viewers and are a fixed part of the video. They’re popular, for example, for video installations in museums and employee training videos—cases where maximum accessibility is the key consideration when it comes to captions and/or subtitles.Closed captions: Viewers can turn these on or off based on preference. For instance, an online course might offer this feature, allowing learners to choose how to consume the content. Students could opt temporarily to turn on closed captions to note the spelling of a new term introduced during the course.Real-time captions: These are great for live events like webinars, where the text appears almost simultaneously as the words are spoken. They keep the audience engaged in real time without missing out on crucial points. For example, ambient noise like chatter in a sports bar might obscure commentary on a live TV basketball game. Real-time captions allow viewers to benefit from near-live commentary regardless of the bar’s noise levels or if the TV’s sound is muted.Burned-in subtitles: These are etched onto the video and cannot be turned off. A promotional video targeting a multilingual audience might use this feature so that everyone understands the message, regardless of their language preference.What to look for in captioning and subtitling servicesTo deliver high-quality captions and subtitles, it's important to choose a provider that offers key features for accuracy, efficiency, and audience engagement.Original language transcription: Accurate documentation of every spoken word in your video for unrivaled accuracy.Tailored translation: Localized content that integrates translations with cultural relevance, increasing resonance with diverse audiences.Alignment synchronization: Time-annotated subtitles, matching words perfectly to the on-screen action.Automatic SRT file generation: A simplified subtitling and captioning process through effortless file creation for a better user experience.Transform your videos with cutting-edge captions and subtitles from GcoreNo matter your video content needs, it’s essential to be aware of the best type of captions and subtitles for your audience’s needs. Choosing the right format ensures a smoother viewing experience, better accessibility, and stronger engagement across every platform.Gcore Video Streaming offers subtitles and closed captions to enhance users’ experience. Each feature within the subtitling and captioning toolkit is crafted to expand your video content’s reach and impact, catering to a multitude of use cases. Embedding captions is quick and easy, and AI-automated speech recognition also saves you time and money.Try Gcore's automated subtitle and caption solution for free

Why captions and subtitles are essential for video engagement

From TikToks on silent commutes to training videos in noisy offices, silent viewing is now standard. Captions and subtitles aren’t just accessibility features anymore. They’re essential for user engagement, global reach, and video performance.This article explores why captions and subtitles matter and how they boost engagement with your videos, providing a better user experience for your audience. If you want to know how captions and subtitles work, we’ve got an article for that too.How subtitles and captions improve your video performanceSubtitles are now widely used across platforms and age groups. For many younger viewers, reading along while watching is second nature, especially on social media. For others, subtitles are a practical solution: watching videos in public spaces, scrolling during breaks, or learning on the go—all without needing sound.Captions offer tangible benefits across four key areas:Engagement and comprehension: Improve clarity in movies, boost understanding in online courses, and increase focus in business content.Accessibility and inclusion: Make content available to hard-of-hearing users and break language barriers for global audiences.SEO and discoverability: Search engines can crawl subtitle text, making your video content more findable, even when autoplayed without sound.Silent usability: Your content works in all environments, from crowded trains to quiet offices.Captions have shifted from niche to norm, helping creators reach more people, boost retention, and deliver clearer messages.Common challenges and their solutionsImplementing captions at scale poses three major challenges: cost, delay, and accuracy. Here's why these challenges exist and how Gcore Video Streaming can help you overcome them at the click of a button.CostInvesting in high-quality transcriptions can be a financial burden, especially for smaller players in online education. Specialized expertise is required for accurate educational content, and human oversight adds ongoing labor costs. Transcription is a recurring expense that grows with multiple languages or regulatory compliance.Gcore scalable AI-powered transcription services reduce reliance on costly manual processes, offering affordable, multi-language support with built-in compliance features, making transcription cost-effective for all budgets.Delay/latencyIn live events, even slight delays in captioning can disengage audiences. For example, in a Formula One race, missing real-time commentary on pit stops or track conditions can leave viewers confused or frustrated. Lagging captions fail to keep pace with the action, breaking immersion.Real-time AI ASR (automatic speech recognition) from Gcore minimizes captioning delay, so that live captions sync perfectly with events, keeping viewers fully engaged without lag.AccuracyA small text error in captions can distort the message and harm reputation. Errors in MOOCs or corporate webinars risk undermining credibility and discouraging future participation. Precision is critical to maintain trust and clarity.Gcore leverages advanced AI models fine-tuned for domain-specific vocabulary and includes automated quality checks, drastically reducing errors and preserving message integrity across all video content.Enhance your video content with Gcore AI-powered caption and subtitles toolsCaptions are now a strategic content layer, not just an accessibility checkbox. With video now the dominant format across marketing, education, and entertainment, it's critical to implement captions efficiently, affordably, and at scale.Gcore’s AI-powered Video Streaming lets you generate accurate, real-time captions across multiple languages with minimal developer effort. Built-in AI ASR (automatic speech recognition) means your captions stay synchronized even during fast-paced live events. Whether you’re running an LMS, hosting global events, or publishing OTT content, Gcore Video Streaming helps you scale captions with speed and precision.Request a demo of Gcore AI ASR

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