The 14KB Rule: Why Website Size Matters More Than You Think

Why is a 14kB webpage significantly faster than a 15kB one? The answer lies in TCP slow start, an algorithm that governs how servers initially send data. This article explains how TCP ensures reliable data transmission and how slow start optimizes bandwidth usage. High-latency networks, like satellite internet, dramatically illustrate the impact: each round trip adds significant delay. The article advocates for minimizing website size to under 14kB or, at the very least, ensuring critical content is within the first 14kB for optimal user experience. While HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 are mentioned, they don't negate the importance of this principle.