Ever wondered what does WiFi stand for? If so – this is the blog post for you!
We’ve put together this handy guide detailing everything you need to know about WiFi, from what it stands for, and the different standards. In addition to this, we will explore what WiFi standard is popular today and of course showcase some tasty hardware recs to level up your set-up.
What Does WiFi Stand For?
WiFi is a trademarked term that refers to the different IEEE 802.11x standards. There’s no fancy acronym behind the name – it’s just a lot easier to say WiFi rather than “IEEE 802.11B Direct Sequence’’ every time… WiFi is typically incorrectly referred to as Wireless Fidelity, a phrase popularised by marketing materials to help explain the concept. However, WiFi doesn’t officially stand for anything. It’s purely a trademarked brand name and not an abbreviation.
While there is a big misconception that WiFi means the internet, that’s simply not true.
WiFi is a type of wireless networking technology that harnesses powerful radio waves to grant you access to high-speed internet. It also enables a remote connection between other devices within your home or office.
What Are the Different Standards of WiFi?
As hardware, computers, and tech have become more advanced, so have the different IEEE 802.11x standards. This ensures you can keep up with the demands of modern-day technology and delivers instant access to the internet at rapid speeds. But what are the different WiFi standards?
We’ve broken them all down below.
| Standard | Name | Release Date | Max Speed | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11b | WiFi 1 (unofficial name) | 1999 | 11Mbps | 2.4GHz |
| 802.11a | WiFi 2 (unofficial name) | 1999 | 54Mbps | 5GHz |
| 802.11g | WiFi 3 (unofficial name) | 2003 | 54Mbps | 2.4GHz |
| 802.11n | WiFi 4 | 2009 | 600Mbps | 2.4GHz and 5GHz |
| 802.11ac | WiFi 5 | 2013 | 3.4Gbps | 5GHz |
| 802.11ax | WiFi 6 | 2019 | 10.53Gbps | 2.4GHz and 5GHz |
| 802.11ax | WiFi 6E | 2020 | 10.53Gbps | 2.4GHz and 5GHz |
| 802.11be | WiFi 7 | 2024 | 40Gbps | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz |
What Standard Do We Use Today?
In 2025, the most common standards are WiFi 6 and 6E offering speeds of up to 40Gbps and the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bandwidths which deliver rapid access, higher capacity for more devices, and notably less interference.
However, WiFi 7 hit the virtual shelves in late 2024, meaning you can now find routers and motherboards that feature onboard WiFi 7 support. Perfect if your gaming resolution is to boost your internet connectivity!
If you want to learn more about WiFi 7, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about this standard in our dedicated blog post. Check it out below.
Looking to Boost Your Connectivity?
Are you struggling with slow internet speeds? Why not think about upgrading your router to help boost your connectivity, delivering rapid speeds, quick data transfer speeds, and near-zero interference whilst gaming and working.
We’ve picked out our top two routers below, a WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 model, however if these don’t suit your requirements, you can explore all our routers with the click of a button.
ASUS AXE7800 Tri-Band Router
- Gaming router
- Tri-band connectivity – 2,4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz
- Up to 7800Mbps
- WiFi 6E support
- Integrated WPA3 security and parental controls
ASUS ROG Rapture GT BE98 Router
- Dedicated gaming router
- On-board quad core processor
- Supports 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bandwidths
- Up to 25Gbps
- WiFi 7 support
- Integrated dual 10G and quad 2.5G ports
- Dedicated Game Acceleration and Mobile Game Modes
Learn More About WiFi
Which WiFi Standard Do You Use?
Which standard do you use? Let us know in the comments below.
- 3 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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