Monitor Response Time Explained
Monitor response time is how long it takes a pixel to transition from one colour to another, measured in milliseconds (ms). A lower response time means sharper, cleaner motion with less ghosting (motion blur). The industry standard for gaming monitors is 1ms GtG (Grey-to-Grey), though most monitors with this rating actually measure 3–6ms under typical conditions. Response time is separate from input lag — they measure different things and both matter for gaming.
GtG vs MPRT: What Do These Terms Mean?
GtG (Grey-to-Grey) measures the time it takes a pixel to transition between two specific grey shades. This is the most commonly used measurement for panel response time and the one reviewers like Rtings.com use. Lower is better.
MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) measures how long a pixel is visible in a given state, including the entire display cycle. MPRT is achieved through backlight strobing (ULMB, DyAc, etc.) and is independent of panel response time. A 1ms MPRT doesn't mean the pixel transitions in 1ms — it means the backlight flashes for 1ms to freeze the pixel's appearance.
Most budget monitors advertise "1ms" based on MPRT with backlight strobing enabled — not actual GtG. When backlight strobing is off, the same panel might have 8–12ms GtG. Independent measurements from Rtings.com show that 68% of monitors advertised as "1ms" have actual GtG above 3ms under typical settings. Always verify with third-party reviews.
Response Time vs. Input Lag: A Common Confusion
These are frequently confused but completely different measurements. Response time is a panel characteristic — how fast individual pixels change colour. Input lag is a system characteristic — the total delay from when you move your mouse or press a key to when the corresponding change appears on screen.
| Metric | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Response Time (GtG) | Pixel colour transition speed |
| Input Lag | Total system latency |
| Refresh Rate | Frame display frequency |
Input lag is generally more impactful for gaming than response time. A monitor with 4ms GtG response time but 15ms input lag will feel less responsive than one with 6ms GtG but 4ms input lag. Use our Refresh Rate Test to check what your monitor is actually displaying.
What Response Time Do You Need for Gaming?
At 144Hz, each frame is displayed for ~6.9ms. Any response time faster than the frame interval won't cause perceptible ghosting. This means that for 144Hz monitors, a 4ms GtG response time is perfectly adequate — the pixel transitions are complete well within a single frame.
For 240Hz gaming (4.2ms per frame), you need faster panel response — ideally under 3ms GtG. At 360Hz (2.8ms per frame), native 1ms GtG panels start to matter. For 60Hz casual gaming, even 10ms GtG is largely imperceptible. The rule is: your response time should be faster than your frame interval. Prioritise high refresh rate first, then response time. Once your monitor is dialled in, use our Reaction Time Test to see how your display's total latency chain affects your measurable gaming reflexes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good monitor response time for gaming?
1ms GtG is ideal for competitive gaming, though 4ms GtG is imperceptible to most players. At 144Hz, each frame lasts ~6.9ms — so any response time under that won't cause visible ghosting. For casual gaming, anything under 10ms GtG is fine. The bigger priority for competitive play is high refresh rate (144Hz+) over response time.
Is 1ms response time really 1ms?
Often not. The '1ms' label on many monitors refers to MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) measured at specific overdrive settings, which doesn't reflect typical pixel transition times. Independent reviews from Rtings.com show many '1ms' monitors have actual GtG transitions of 3–8ms. Always check third-party review measurements rather than spec sheet claims.
Does monitor response time affect FPS?
No. Response time is a display characteristic — it affects how sharply motion is rendered, not how many frames your GPU produces. A slow response time causes ghosting (motion blur), but your FPS remains the same. Response time and frame rate are completely separate metrics.
What is monitor overdrive, and should I use it?
Overdrive pushes extra voltage to pixels to speed up transitions. It reduces ghosting but can cause 'inverse ghosting' (bright halos behind moving objects) if set too aggressively. Most monitors have 3–5 overdrive levels. The optimal setting for your monitor is typically 'Medium' or 'Fast' — check your specific monitor's Rtings review for the recommended level.
IPS vs TN vs VA response time — which is fastest?
TN panels have the fastest native response times (1–3ms GtG), which is why they dominated competitive gaming monitors for years. IPS panels have improved dramatically and most modern IPS monitors reach 4–6ms GtG. VA panels have the slowest response times (5–12ms) and are prone to smearing on dark transitions. For competitive gaming, IPS or TN is preferred. VA is best for content creation and movies.
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