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FAQ: Test Rate Limits

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M-Lab enforces 40 tests per day per IP address. Learn what this means and how to work within the limit.

beginner Internet Quality

Q: How many M-Lab tests can I run per day?

A: M-Lab implements current rate limits of 20 requests in a 30 minute sliding window based on both IP address and user-agent, and a 40 request limit in a 12 hour sliding window based on IP address alone.

For software or hardware integrations M-Lab recommends testing no more than 4 times per day for any one device / internet connection.

Key Points

  • The limit is enforced per source IP address
  • It covers all test types combined (not 40 per tool)
  • The counter resets daily
  • Exceeding this limit will result in test requests being rejected

Need higher rate limits?

If you need to conduct measurements at a higher rate for legitimate research purposes, please contact M-Lab support at support@measurementlab.net to discuss your requirements. We may be able to accommodate special cases with proper justification.

Alternative Approaches

  • Distribute tests across multiple IP addresses if available
  • Space out your measurements throughout the day
  • Consider using M-Lab’s historical datasets for analysis instead of running new tests

This rate limiting helps ensure the platform remains available and responsive for all users worldwide.