Performance · Website glossary

Lab data

Quick answer · What is Lab data?

Measurements collected in a controlled or simulated test environment.

IN PRACTICE

Lab data: an example

A developer repeats a mobile test with the same throttling settings before and after an image change.

KEEP IN MIND

One lab run cannot represent every visitor; use repeatable diagnosis and compare with available field evidence.

Put the idea to work

Frequently asked questions

What is a practical example of Lab data?

A developer repeats a mobile test with the same throttling settings before and after an image change.

Can one lab run represent every website visitor?

One lab run cannot represent every visitor; use repeatable diagnosis and compare with available field evidence.

Which concepts should I read alongside Lab data?

Field data: Performance measurements collected from real visits in actual user environments.
Performance budget: A deliberately chosen limit or target used to guide and review a site's performance-related decisions.