How to Determine the Wi-Fi Standard of Your Router or Device: A Complete Guide

Have you ever wondered why your Wi-Fi is slower than your provider promised? Or why your new smartphone isn't delivering the connection speed it claims? The reason often lies in Wi-Fi standard, which your router or device supports. Older standards like 802.11n physically unable to provide speeds higher than 300–450 Mbps, while modern Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) theoretically accelerates to 10 Gbps.

In this article, we'll look at how to accurately determine the Wi-Fi standard on any device—from a router to a TV—and why it's important. You'll learn how to distinguish Wi-Fi 5 from Wi-Fi 6 Without technical knowledge, you'll never know what tools to use for diagnostics, or what to do if your equipment is outdated. And also— How does the Wi-Fi standard affect actual internet speed and compatibility with other gadgets?.

What is the Wi-Fi standard and why is it important?

A Wi-Fi standard is a set of technical requirements that defines how devices communicate over a wireless network. Each new generation of standards (referred to as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax or more simply - Wi-Fi 4/5/6/6E/7) brings improvements in speed, stability and power efficiency.

For example:

• 📡 Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) — maximum 450 Mbps, operates at 2.4 GHz (less frequently at 5 GHz). MIMO (multiple antennas) support.
• ⚡ Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) — up to 3.5 Gbps, 5 GHz only, channel width up to 160 MHz, MU-MIMO technology.
• 🚀 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) — up to 10 Gbps, support for 2.4 and 5 GHz, OFDMA for better performance in multi-user networks.
• 🆕 Wi-Fi 6E — expansion of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz frequency (less interference, higher speed).

Why is this critical? Because The real speed of the Internet is limited by the weakest linkIf your router supports Wi-Fi 6, but the smartphone only works with Wi-Fi 4, the maximum speed will not exceed 450 Mbps, even with a 1 Gbps tariff.

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers, for marketing purposes, indicate “speed up to 1200 Mbps” for routers with Wi-Fi 5, combining the speeds of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In practice, one device cannot use both frequencies simultaneously—this is deceptive.

Method 1: Check the Wi-Fi standard on the router's sticker

The easiest method is to inspect the router's case. There's usually a sticker with technical specifications on the bottom or back panel. Look for the following markings:

• 🔍 802.11n or Wi-Fi 4 — 2009 standard.
• 🔍 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 5 — 2013 standard.
• 🔍 802.11ax, Wi-Fi 6 or AX — 2019 standard.
• 🔍 Wi-Fi 6E - 6 GHz support (requires compatible devices).

If there are several standards listed on the label (e.g. 802.11a/b/g/n/ac), the router supports all of the above, but works on as much as possible for the connected device. For example, if a smartphone with Wi-Fi 4, the connection will be 802.11n, and not by 802.11ac.

⚠️ Please note: Labels on budget routers sometimes contain errors. For example, they may indicate Wi-Fi 6, although in fact the device only supports Wi-Fi 5Always double-check via the web interface or the manufacturer's specifications.

Method 2: Determine the standard via the router's web interface

If the sticker is worn off or missing, check your router settings. To do this:

1. Connect to the router's network (via Wi-Fi or cable).
2. Open your browser and enter your router's IP address into the address bar. This is usually 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1 (check the sticker).
3. Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/empty).
4. Go to the section with information about your wireless network (the names are different):

For TP-Link: Advanced → Wireless → Wireless Settings
For ASUS: Wireless → General
For Keenetic: Wi-Fi network → Main network
For MikroTik: Wireless → Interfaces

Look for fields like Wireless Mode, Standard or Wi-Fi Mode. The current standard will be indicated there (for example, 802.11n/ac). If the router supports several standards, you can select a specific one in the settings (for example, force it to turn on Wi-Fi 5 instead of automatic mode).

Router model (section "Status" or "System")

Firmware version (update if outdated)

Wi-Fi operating mode (802.11n/ac/ax)

Channel width (20/40/80/160 MHz)

Frequency (2.4 or 5 GHz)-->

On some routers (for example, Xiaomi or Tenda) The Wi-Fi standard may be hidden behind advanced settings. If you can't find it, try method 3.

Method 3: Check the standard on the connected device (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)

The Wi-Fi standard can also be determined from the client device—such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. This is useful if you're unsure of your router's specifications or want to check which standard is used for a specific connection.

🖥️ On Windows 10/11

1. Click Win + X and select Terminal (Windows PowerShell).
2. Enter the command:

   netsh wlan show interfaces

3. Find the line Radio type (Radio Type). The standard will be indicated there, for example:

   802.11n  
   802.11ac
   802.11ax 

🍎 On macOS

Hold down the key Option (Alt) and click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. In the section PHY Mode the standard will be specified (for example, 802.11ax).

📱 On Android

Most smartphones do not show the Wi-Fi standard in the interface, but you can use applications:

• 📌 WiFi Analyzer (shows frequency and channel width, but not always standard).
• 📌 NetSpot (in the pro version it displays Wi-Fi Standard).
• 📌 Termux + command:

  dumpsys wifi | grep "mWifiStandard"

  (requires root access on some devices).

🍏 On iPhone/iPad

Apple does not provide a direct way to find out the Wi-Fi standard, but you can indirectly determine it by speed and frequency:

1. Connect to the network.
2. Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap on the network name.
3. Look at the field Frequency:
   • 2.4 GHz - most likely Wi-Fi 4.
   • 5 GHz - maybe Wi-Fi 4/5/6.

Method 4: Search by router model in databases

If you don't have physical access to your router (for example, if it's installed in your office or at your ISP's), find its model and check the specifications online. To do this:

1. Find out your router model:
   • Look at the sticker.
   • Log in to the web interface (section Status or System).
   • Use the command in CMD (Windows):

     ipconfig /all | findstr "Default Gateway"

     Then enter the received IP in the browser and find the model in the settings.

site:wikidevi.com [router model]
site:routerchart.com [router model]

Examples of popular models and their standards:

• 📶 TP-Link Archer C6 — Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
• 📶 ASUS RT-AX55 — Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
• 📶 Xiaomi Mi Router 4A — Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n).
• 📶 Keenetic Giga (KN-1010) — Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).

⚠️ Please note: Some providers (eg. Rostelecom or Beeline) supply routers with reduced specifications. For example, a model may support Wi-Fi 6, but this feature is disabled in the provider's firmware. In this case, only a stock firmware update will help.

Method 5: Speed ​​and frequency analysis for indirect determination

If no other methods are available, you can roughly determine the Wi-Fi standard by indirect signs:

1. Network frequency:
   • 2.4 GHz - almost always Wi-Fi 4 (rarely Wi-Fi 6, if the router is new).
   • 5 GHz - maybe Wi-Fi 4/5/6.
   • 6 GHz - only Wi-Fi 6E.
2. Channel width (checked in the router settings or through WiFi Analyzer):
   • 20 MHz is an outdated mode, most likely Wi-Fi 4.
   • 40 MHz - Wi-Fi 4/5.
   • 80/160 MHz — Wi-Fi 5/6.