Embodiments for improving multi-user downlink reception quality in WLANS are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a station, at least one multi-user sounding packet from an access point. The method also includes determining a sum of desired signal strengths from the at least one received sounding packet. The method also includes determining a sum of interference signal strengths from the at least one received sounding packet. The method also includes generating link quality metrics based on a ratio of the sum of desired signal strengths to the sum of interference signal strengths.