What is jitter?
Jitter is the variation in the time it takes data packets to travel across a network. On a VoIP call, high jitter makes audio packets arrive unevenly or out of order, which causes choppy, robotic or broken-up sound.
How it works
A call sends small audio packets at a steady rhythm, typically one every 20 milliseconds. If the network delays some packets more than others, they arrive with uneven gaps.
VoIP phones use a jitter buffer that holds packets briefly and plays them out evenly. A bigger buffer smooths more jitter but adds delay, and packets that arrive too late are dropped.
Jitter is measured in milliseconds. As a rule of thumb, under 30 ms is good for voice, and anything regularly above that starts to be heard.
Why it matters
01Call quality
Jitter is one of the main reasons a VoIP call sounds bad on a connection that is otherwise fast.
02Easy to diagnose
A network test showing jitter, latency and packet loss tells you where to look.
03Usually fixable
Wired connections, prioritizing voice traffic and avoiding saturated Wi-Fi solve most cases.
Allo and Jitter
Allo runs on VoIP, so like any internet calling service its audio depends on your network. A stable connection with low jitter gives the clearest calls.
Related terms
The terms that usually come up in the same conversation.
All glossary terms
SIP trunking
Virtual lines that connect a PBX to the phone network over the internet.
Read the definition
Frequently asked questions
Network congestion, busy Wi-Fi, routers without traffic prioritization and long or changing routes across the internet.
Latency is how long a packet takes to arrive. Jitter is how much that time varies. Packet loss is the share of packets that never arrive. All three affect call quality.
Use a wired connection where possible, enable QoS to prioritize voice on your router, limit large downloads during calls and move away from crowded Wi-Fi channels.