Refresh Rate Test
A refresh rate test measures how many times per second your monitor redraws its image — expressed in Hz (hertz). The most common display refresh rates are 60 Hz (standard), 144 Hz (eSports), and 240 Hz (competitive elite). This free tool uses the browser's requestAnimationFrame API to count delivered frames over two seconds and report your display's actual, real-world refresh rate — not just the spec on the box.
Here's a number that surprises most people: studies estimate that 40–60% of gaming monitor buyers never properly configure their display's maximum refresh rate because Windows defaults to 60 Hz even on a 144 Hz or 240 Hz panel. Your monitor spec sheet says one thing; what Windows actually delivers can be something else entirely. That gap — between the rated Hz and the delivered Hz — is exactly what this tool measures. If you paid for 144 Hz and are getting 60 Hz, the fix takes under 30 seconds in Display Settings.
Beyond the Windows-default problem, refresh rate interacts with three other variables worth understanding. First, your cable matters: HDMI 1.4 caps 1080p at 120 Hz and 4K at 30 Hz, while DisplayPort 1.4 supports 4K at 144 Hz. Second, adaptive sync technologies — NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync — dynamically match your monitor's refresh rate to your GPU's frame output, eliminating screen tearing without adding input lag. Third, battery-saver mode on laptops silently throttles refresh rate to extend runtime, so always run this test while plugged in for an accurate reading. Run the test 3–5 times and use the session average for the most reliable result.
Test by Refresh Rate
Press Start Test to detect your monitor's refresh rate
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Last Result
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Personal Best
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Session Avg
For best accuracy, close other tabs and run the test 3–5 times. Laptops may cap Hz on battery — plug in for full refresh rate.
What Is a Good Refresh Rate for Gaming?
Refresh rate directly affects motion clarity and input latency. Use this table to see how your result stacks up. For a deeper dive, see our guide on 60 Hz vs 144 Hz vs 240 Hz.
| Refresh Rate | Rating |
|---|---|
| 30 Hz | Very Low |
| 60 Hz | Standard |
| 75 Hz | Above Standard |
| 120 Hz | Console Gaming |
| 144 Hz | eSports Standard |
| 165 Hz | High Performance |
| 240 Hz+ | Elite Competitive |
Frame time = 1000 ÷ Hz. Lower frame time = smoother, more responsive motion on screen.
How to Improve Your Monitor's Refresh Rate
If your measured Hz is lower than your monitor's rated specification, several fixes can help. First, check your OS display settings — on Windows, open Display Settings → Advanced Display and select the maximum Hz from the dropdown. On Mac, open System Settings → Displays and choose the higher refresh rate option. Second, verify your cable: HDMI 1.4 caps 4K at 30 Hz and 1080p at 120 Hz, while DisplayPort 1.4 supports 4K at 144 Hz. Third, disable battery-saver or power-saving modes, which throttle refresh rate to extend battery life on laptops. Finally, update your GPU drivers, as outdated drivers can cap output below the monitor's maximum.
How to Check Your Monitor's Refresh Rate on Any Device
The fastest method on any platform is to use the tester above — it reads your actual hardware-delivered Hz in real time, not just the OS setting. But here are the native methods for each operating system:
Right-click the desktop → Display Settings → Advanced Display → look for Refresh Rate and select from the dropdown.
Apple menu → System Settings → Displays → click the refresh rate dropdown to see and change the active Hz.
Settings → Display → Advanced (or Motion Smoothness on Samsung). Most Android flagships let you toggle between 60 Hz and 90/120 Hz here.
ProMotion (1–120 Hz) is automatic on iPhone 13 Pro and later — no manual setting. Use our browser tester to see the live Hz reading.
OS display settings report the configured Hz — not necessarily what your monitor is delivering. Cable bandwidth limits, GPU driver states, and power-saving modes can all cause the real-world rate to differ from the setting. That gap is what this tool measures.
G-Sync, FreeSync, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Explained
Variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies synchronize your monitor's Hz to your GPU's actual frame output in real time. Instead of the monitor refreshing at a fixed 144 Hz regardless of whether the GPU is delivering 60 FPS or 200 FPS, VRR dynamically adjusts the refresh rate to match — eliminating screen tearing without adding the input lag that V-Sync introduces.
| Standard | GPU Brand |
|---|---|
| G-Sync | NVIDIA |
| G-Sync Compatible | NVIDIA |
| FreeSync / FreeSync Premium | AMD |
| HDMI VRR | Both / Consoles |
VRR works best when your GPU frame rate stays within the monitor's VRR range (typically 48–144 Hz for a 144 Hz panel). Below the minimum, Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) on FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible monitors doubles or triples the refresh rate to prevent stutter. Our refresh rate tester shows your current delivered Hz — if you're seeing significant variation between runs while gaming, VRR is actively working.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good refresh rate for gaming?
For competitive gaming, 144 Hz is the current standard — it delivers frames every 6.9 ms, drastically reducing motion blur vs. 60 Hz (16.7 ms). Serious esports players opt for 240 Hz or 360 Hz to shave every possible millisecond off input lag. For casual gaming or everyday use, 60 Hz is perfectly adequate.
Why does my refresh rate test show lower than my monitor's spec?
Browser-based tests measure the actual frame delivery rate, which can be throttled when your GPU can't keep up, when battery-saver mode is active, or when your cable (HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2) doesn't support the spec Hz at your resolution. Make sure you're plugged in, using the right cable, and the resolution/refresh rate is set correctly in your OS display settings.
Does refresh rate affect gaming performance?
Yes — higher refresh rates reduce motion blur and allow lower input latency. Going from 60 Hz to 144 Hz cuts theoretical input lag from ~16.7 ms to ~6.9 ms per frame. Studies show competitive FPS performance measurably improves at 144 Hz vs. 60 Hz. Beyond 240 Hz, diminishing returns set in for most players.
How is refresh rate different from frame rate (FPS)?
Refresh rate (Hz) is a hardware property of your monitor — how many times it redraws the screen per second. Frame rate (FPS) is a software property — how many frames your GPU renders per second. For the smoothest experience, your FPS should match or exceed your monitor's Hz. If your GPU renders 200 FPS on a 60 Hz monitor, the monitor still only shows 60 unique frames per second.
Can I change my monitor's refresh rate?
Yes, on Windows: right-click the desktop → Display Settings → Advanced Display → choose Hz from the dropdown. On Mac: System Settings → Displays → select the desired refresh rate. Note that higher Hz settings require a compatible cable (DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 for 4K 144 Hz+). Some monitors also support custom resolutions via NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software.
Does a higher refresh rate reduce eye strain?
Higher refresh rates reduce screen flicker, which can lessen eye strain and headaches during prolonged use. The jump from 60 Hz to 120 Hz is the most noticeable improvement. Research on eye fatigue shows that flicker-free displays above 100 Hz cause significantly less visual fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
What Hz do pro esports players use?
Most professional esports players use monitors running at 240 Hz or 360 Hz. In titles like CS2, Valorant, and Apex Legends — where reaction times under 200 ms decide rounds — the 4.2 ms frame time of 240 Hz and the 2.8 ms frame time of 360 Hz provide a measurable edge over 144 Hz (6.9 ms). A small number of pros in the fastest-twitch games have moved to 500 Hz panels. For the vast majority of players at home, 144 Hz delivers 95% of the benefit at a fraction of the cost.
Is 60 Hz good enough for gaming?
60 Hz is playable for single-player, story-driven games where frame-perfect reactions are not required — RPGs, strategy games, and narrative adventures all look fine at 60 Hz. However, for competitive multiplayer games (FPS, battle royale, fighting games), 60 Hz is a real disadvantage: the 16.7 ms frame time is noticeably behind the 6.9 ms of 144 Hz. If your GPU can reliably push above 60 FPS in your games, upgrading to a 144 Hz monitor is the single highest-impact display improvement you can make.
What cable do I need for 144 Hz, 240 Hz, or 360 Hz?
Cable bandwidth determines the maximum Hz your monitor can run at any given resolution. For 1080p at 144 Hz, DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, or HDMI 2.1 all work. For 1440p at 144 Hz, use DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 minimum. For 4K at 144 Hz, you need DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. For 4K at 240 Hz or 360 Hz, DisplayPort 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 48 Gbps is required. HDMI 1.4 — still bundled with many monitors — caps 4K at just 30 Hz and 1080p at 120 Hz. Upgrading to a DisplayPort 1.4 cable is often the cheapest fix when your monitor runs below its rated Hz.
Does a higher refresh rate use more power or battery?
Yes, modestly. A 144 Hz monitor typically consumes 10–20% more power than the same panel running at 60 Hz, because the backlight and display controller must process more frames per second. On laptops, operating system battery-saver modes often throttle the refresh rate automatically to conserve charge — which is why testing while plugged in gives the most accurate reading. Variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync reduce unnecessary power draw by dynamically lowering Hz during slow-moving or static scenes, giving you high-Hz performance during gaming without a constant power penalty.
How do I check my refresh rate on Android or iPhone?
On Android, go to Settings → Display → Advanced (or Motion Smoothness on Samsung Galaxy devices), where you can see and toggle the available refresh rates. Most Android flagships support 90 Hz, 120 Hz, or higher. On iPhone Pro models (iPhone 13 Pro and later), Apple's ProMotion technology automatically adjusts between 1 Hz and 120 Hz — you cannot read the live rate in iOS settings, but our browser-based tester will display the active Hz accurately. On older iPhones and non-Pro models, the display is fixed at 60 Hz.
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