Core Web Vitals are Google’s way of measuring how your website feels to a real person. Is it quick to show something useful? Does it respond when I tap? Does the page jump around while I’m reading?
They’re a small factor in search rankings, but a big factor in whether people stay on your site.
The three measurements
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – “How fast does the main content appear?”
The time it takes for the biggest thing on screen, usually a hero image or headline, to show up. Google’s “good” threshold is 2.5 seconds or less.
Interaction to Next Paint (INP) – “Does it respond when I tap?”
How quickly the page reacts when someone clicks a button or opens a menu. Good is 200 milliseconds or less.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – “Does the page jump around?”
That annoying moment when you go to tap a link and an ad loads, pushing everything down. Good is a score of 0.1 or less.
How to check yours
Pop your web address into Google’s free PageSpeed Insights tool. If your site gets enough traffic, you’ll see real-world data. Google Search Console also has a Core Web Vitals report showing which pages need attention.
The fixes that usually matter most
For slow loading (LCP):
- Compress and correctly size images, and use modern formats like WebP
- Use good-quality hosting
- Cut down heavy sliders and video backgrounds
For slow responses (INP):
- Remove plugins and scripts you don’t need
- Limit third-party chat widgets, trackers and pop-ups
For jumping layouts (CLS):
- Set image and video dimensions in the code
- Reserve space for ads, banners and embeds
- Load fonts properly so text doesn’t reflow
Keep it in perspective
A perfect score won’t save a site with unclear messaging, and a slightly imperfect score won’t sink a genuinely helpful one. Fix the big problems, then focus on content and experience.
CTA: Want a speed check and a prioritised fix list? → Ask us for a performance review