Time to First Byte (TTFB)

Time to First Byte (TTFB) measures how long it takes from a request until the browser receives the first byte of the server's response, using the relevant measurement method. It can reveal delays associated with connection setup, server processing, or delivery infrastructure. A handyman website with slow initial responses may feel sluggish even if images are optimized. TTFB is a useful diagnostic metric, not one of the three Core Web Vitals. Improving it does not automatically fix layout stability or interaction responsiveness. Use actual performance measurements and consider caching, hosting configuration, and geographic network conditions before choosing a remedy.