Everyone wants a fast website. Visitors expect speed, and Google rewards it. But what counts as a good website load time?
This article explains the guidelines, what Google’s CrUX data reveals, and how you can optimise your site for better performance.
What does Google say about load time?
Google uses Core Web Vitals and the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) to measure real user load times. These metrics help determine how fast your site feels in practice.
The three most important Core Web Vitals are:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Should be under 2.5 seconds
- First Input Delay (FID): Should be less than 100 milliseconds
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Should stay below 0.1
For a good user experience, make sure your main content is visible within 2.5 seconds. Faster is always better.
Ideal load time in practice
Aim for a maximum load time under 2.5 seconds. If possible, target below 1 second.
Research shows bounce rates rise by 32 percent when load time increases from 1 to 3 seconds. At 5 seconds, the risk of users leaving jumps by 90 percent.
Want more details? See our article on the impact of load time on SEO and conversions .
What influences website load time?
Site speed is affected by several factors:
- Size and compression of images and videos
- Number and size of external scripts
- Hosting and server quality
- Use of browser caching and a content delivery network
How to measure your website’s load time
Check your speed with these tools:
- PageSpeed Insights: Measures LCP, FID, CLS and uses real-world CrUX data
- Lighthouse: Gives a detailed technical analysis
- GTmetrix: Shows load times, page components and improvement tips
Conclusion
A good website load time is under 2.5 seconds, but aim for under 1 second if possible. It is not just about Google. It is about your users. A fast site leads to more conversions, better experience, and stronger visibility.
Ready to improve your site’s speed? Be sure to check out our article on how caching works and why it matters.