Mouse Polling Rate Test
A mouse polling rate test measures how many times per second your mouse reports its position to your computer — expressed in Hz. The industry standard for gaming is 1000Hz (1ms input lag); premium mice now reach 8000Hz (0.125ms). A low polling rate (125Hz) adds up to 8ms of positional lag per update, which is noticeable in fast-paced FPS and MOBA games where every millisecond of cursor accuracy matters.
To put that in perspective: at 125Hz your mouse sends an update every 8ms — meaning if you flick toward a target, your cursor position could be up to 8ms stale by the time it reaches the game. At 1000Hz that gap shrinks to 1ms, fast enough that it's imperceptible to almost every player. The jump from 125Hz → 1000Hz is the single biggest latency improvement you can make without buying a new monitor. Going from 1000Hz → 8000Hz is a much smaller gain (0.875ms), and noticeable only on 360Hz+ displays with a very fast PC.
Move your mouse below to instantly see your polling rate — the tool counts JavaScript mousemove events over 3 seconds and snaps your result to the nearest standard rate (125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, or 8000 Hz). Works with any wired or wireless mouse. No download required.
Test by Polling Rate
Click Start, then move your mouse
Move your mouse continuously over the test area for 3 seconds. Your polling rate is calculated automatically.
What Is a Good Mouse Polling Rate for Gaming?
Higher polling rates mean lower input lag — but there are diminishing returns above 1000Hz on current displays. Use this table to understand what each rate means in practice.
| Polling Rate | Input Lag |
|---|---|
| 8000 Hz | 0.125 ms |
| 4000 Hz | 0.25 ms |
| 2000 Hz | 0.5 ms |
| 1000 Hz | 1 ms |
| 500 Hz | 2 ms |
| 250 Hz | 4 ms |
| 125 Hz | 8 ms |
Input lag shown is polling-only — total system input lag includes monitor refresh delay, USB hub latency, and OS scheduling overhead.
Does Polling Rate Actually Matter for Gaming?
Yes — but the upgrade that matters most is the one you probably already need: getting from 125Hz to 1000Hz. Here's how each scenario breaks down:
You reduce polling lag from 8ms to 1ms — a 7ms improvement that most players can feel, especially in fast FPS games. This is the most impactful change you can make.
2ms → 1ms. A 1ms improvement. Barely perceptible, but it's free if your mouse supports it — check your manufacturer's software.
1ms → 0.25ms or 0.125ms. The gain is real but requires a 360Hz+ display and a fast CPU to be meaningful. Most pros still use 1000Hz. Some report microstutter at 8000Hz on older systems.
Modern gaming wireless mice (Logitech LIGHTSPEED, Razer HyperSpeed) run at 1000Hz with latency indistinguishable from USB. Standard Bluetooth mice run at 125Hz — avoid for competitive gaming.
Pro reference: The Logitech G Pro X Superlight — used by more CS2 and Valorant pros than any other mouse — ships at 1000Hz. Most pro players do not use 8000Hz.
How to Change Your Mouse Polling Rate
Most gaming mice let you adjust polling rate through manufacturer software or a physical button. Here's how to do it for the most popular brands — then use this tool to verify the change took effect. For a complete step-by-step guide, see our mouse polling rate change guide.
Open Logitech G Hub → click your mouse icon → go to Settings → find "Report Rate" dropdown → select 125, 500, or 1000 Hz.
Open Razer Synapse → select your mouse → go to the Performance tab → drag the Polling Rate slider to your target Hz (up to 8000 Hz on HyperPolling mice).
Open SteelSeries GG → click Engine → select your mouse → find the Polling Rate setting and choose 125, 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz depending on your model.
Flip your Zowie mouse upside down. Press and hold the button on the bottom while plugging it into USB. This cycles through 125 → 500 → 1000 Hz. The LED will blink to confirm the rate.
Many non-gaming mice are locked to 125 Hz and cannot be changed without hardware modifications. If your test shows 125 Hz and you want more, upgrading to a gaming mouse is the only reliable fix.
After changing your polling rate, move your mouse in the test above to confirm the new Hz is active. USB 3.0 ports are recommended for 4000 Hz+ mice to ensure stable data transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mouse polling rate?
Mouse polling rate (also called report rate) is how many times per second your mouse sends its position to your computer, measured in Hz. A 1000Hz polling rate means the mouse reports its location 1,000 times per second — every 1ms. A higher polling rate means lower input lag and smoother cursor movement.
What is the best polling rate for gaming?
1000Hz is the standard for competitive gaming and is supported by virtually all gaming mice. Some high-end mice now offer 4000Hz or 8000Hz. At 1000Hz, input lag from polling is 1ms — low enough that most players cannot perceive any difference at higher rates. For everyday use, 125Hz or 500Hz is sufficient.
Does a higher polling rate affect CPU usage?
Yes, slightly. A 1000Hz mouse sends 1,000 interrupts per second to your CPU, compared to 125 at 125Hz. At 8000Hz the interrupt rate is 8× higher than 1000Hz. On modern CPUs this is negligible — typically less than 0.1% extra CPU load. Some competitive players still prefer 1000Hz to minimise any overhead.
Why is my measured polling rate lower than expected?
Browser-based tests measure polling rate via JavaScript mousemove events, which can be throttled by the browser or operating system. Your actual hardware polling rate may be higher than what this tool detects. For the most accurate measurement, use your mouse manufacturer's software or a low-level hardware tool.
How do I change my mouse polling rate?
Most gaming mice let you change polling rate through their software (Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, SteelSeries GG, etc.). Some mice have a physical button on the bottom to cycle through polling rate presets. Budget mice may only support 125Hz and cannot be changed.
Does polling rate affect aim in FPS games?
At 1000Hz the input lag from polling is 1ms, which is imperceptible to the vast majority of players. Studies show that elite FPS players perform similarly at 500Hz and 1000Hz. Switching from 125Hz to 500Hz or 1000Hz is a meaningful improvement. Beyond 1000Hz, gains are disputed and mostly theoretical at current display refresh rates.
What polling rate do pro gamers use?
The majority of professional esports players use 1000Hz. The Logitech G Pro X Superlight — the most popular pro gaming mouse in CS2 and Valorant — ships with a default 1000Hz polling rate. Some pros who switched to 8000Hz mice (like the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed or Xlite V4) have reverted to 1000Hz after experiencing microstutter on older PCs. For most players, 1000Hz is the proven, stable choice.
What is the difference between polling rate and DPI?
Polling rate and DPI control two completely different things. DPI (dots per inch) determines how far your cursor moves on screen per inch of physical mouse movement — it controls cursor speed. Polling rate determines how often your mouse sends its position to your computer — it controls update frequency and input lag. You can have 16,000 DPI with 125Hz polling rate (cursor flies across the screen but updates slowly), or 400 DPI with 1000Hz (slow cursor but ultra-responsive updates). For competitive gaming, most pros use 400–800 DPI at 1000Hz: low DPI for precise control, high polling rate for low latency.
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