Glossary

Latency

What Is Latency?

Latency refers to the time delay between an action being initiated and the resulting response or outcome. In a digital context, this often means the delay between when a request is made—such as loading a webpage, capturing a screenshot, or generating a PDF—and when the task is completed. Lower latency is important because it means quicker responses and a smoother, more efficient experience. High latency can cause delays, making processes feel slower and potentially disrupting workflow. In any tool or service, reducing latency is key to providing fast, reliable performance.