Performance / TTFB
Time to First Byte
Plain-language definitionThe time between requesting a page and receiving the first response byte. Hosting location, server work, caching, and network latency influence it.
Why it matters
Use the term to make a better decision.
In practice, time to first byte matters when a team needs to connect a technical or creative choice to a visible change in clarity, performance, discovery, or conversion. The useful question is not whether the term sounds sophisticated. It is what decision it helps the team make.