Refresh Rate Tester

About Refresh Rate Tester & FPS Counter

Measure your monitor's actual refresh rate and FPS using browser APIs. This tool uses requestAnimationFrame() to detect display frequency accurately. Perfect for checking if your monitor is running at 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, or higher refresh rates.

How do I test my monitor's refresh rate?

Testing your monitor's refresh rate is simple:

1. Click the 'Start Test' button
2. Let the test run for at least 3-5 seconds for accurate results
3. Keep the browser tab active (don't switch to another tab)
4. Watch the detected Hz value update in real-time
5. Check the live chart to see frame timing stability
6. Click 'Stop Test' when done

The tool measures the time between frames using requestAnimationFrame() and calculates your monitor's actual refresh rate based on frame timing.

What is refresh rate and why does it matter?

Refresh rate (measured in Hz) is how many times per second your monitor redraws the image on screen:

- 60 Hz = 60 frames per second (standard)
- 120 Hz = 120 frames per second (high refresh)
- 144 Hz = 144 frames per second (gaming)
- 240 Hz = 240 frames per second (competitive gaming)

Higher refresh rates provide:
- Smoother motion and animations
- Reduced motion blur
- Better gaming experience
- Less eye strain
- More responsive cursor movement

Gaming monitors often support 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz for competitive advantages.

What's the difference between FPS and refresh rate?

FPS (frames per second) and refresh rate are related but different:

**Refresh Rate (Hz):**
- How fast your monitor can display images
- Hardware capability of the display
- Fixed value (unless using VRR/G-Sync/FreeSync)
- Example: 144Hz monitor can show 144 frames per second

**FPS (Frames Per Second):**
- How many frames your GPU/system generates
- Can vary based on workload
- Limited by both hardware and software

**Important:** Your visible FPS is capped by refresh rate. If you have a 60Hz monitor, you'll only see 60 FPS even if your GPU renders 200 FPS. This tool measures your monitor's maximum refresh rate.

Why is my detected refresh rate lower than expected?

If the detected refresh rate is lower than your monitor's specs:

**Common causes:**
- Browser tab is in background (browsers throttle inactive tabs to 1-4 FPS)
- Display settings not configured correctly (check Windows/Mac display settings)
- Using HDMI cable that doesn't support high refresh rates
- Monitor is set to lower refresh rate in settings
- Battery saver mode enabled (laptops)
- Browser limitations or extensions interfering
- V-Sync or frame rate limiting enabled

**Solutions:**
- Keep this tab active during testing
- Check display settings: Windows (Settings > Display > Advanced) or Mac (System Preferences > Displays)
- Use DisplayPort cable for high refresh rates (>60Hz)
- Disable power saving modes
- Try a different browser

What is frame time and why does it matter?

Frame time is the duration between consecutive frames, measured in milliseconds (ms):

**Relationship to refresh rate:**
- 60 Hz = 16.67 ms per frame
- 120 Hz = 8.33 ms per frame
- 144 Hz = 6.94 ms per frame
- 240 Hz = 4.17 ms per frame

**Why it matters:**
- Lower frame time = smoother experience
- Consistent frame time = no stuttering
- Variable frame time = perceived lag or jitter

**The live chart shows:**
- Frame time consistency (horizontal line = good)
- Spikes indicate frame drops or lag
- Reference lines for common refresh rates (60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz)

For gaming and smooth video, you want consistent frame times with minimal variation.

What is VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)?

VRR technologies (G-Sync, FreeSync, Adaptive Sync) allow your monitor's refresh rate to dynamically match your GPU's FPS:

**Benefits:**
- Eliminates screen tearing
- Reduces stuttering
- Smoother gameplay when FPS varies
- Better experience in demanding games

**How it affects this test:**
- VRR monitors may show fluctuating Hz values
- This is normal - the refresh rate adapts to content
- The detected rate may vary between min and max range
- Example: A 144Hz G-Sync monitor might show 48-144Hz

**Common VRR technologies:**
- NVIDIA G-Sync (NVIDIA GPUs)
- AMD FreeSync (AMD GPUs, some NVIDIA)
- VESA Adaptive-Sync (industry standard)

If you see fluctuating values and have VRR enabled, your monitor is working correctly.

How accurate is this refresh rate test?

This tool is highly accurate for most use cases:

**Accuracy factors:**
- Uses native browser requestAnimationFrame() API
- Same timing mechanism browsers use for animations
- Typically accurate within 1-2 Hz
- Collects multiple samples and averages results
- Filters out outliers from tab switching or throttling

**Limitations:**
- Browser timer precision (usually 1ms or better)
- Tab must remain active and visible
- Background processes can cause minor variations
- Some browsers cap refresh rates differently

**Best practices for accuracy:**
- Close other applications during testing
- Let test run for at least 5 seconds
- Avoid switching tabs or windows
- Test multiple times if unsure
- Compare with display settings as reference

For most users, this tool provides accurate enough results to verify monitor settings and detect issues.

Common refresh rates explained

Here are the most common monitor refresh rates:

**60 Hz - Standard**
- Most office monitors and laptops
- Budget-friendly displays
- Adequate for general use and casual gaming

**75 Hz - Entry Gaming**
- Some office monitors
- Noticeable improvement over 60Hz
- Good for casual gaming

**120 Hz - High Refresh**
- Many modern displays
- Console gaming standard (PS5, Xbox Series X)
- Smooth for fast-paced games

**144 Hz - Popular Gaming**
- Most popular gaming monitor refresh rate
- Sweet spot for price/performance
- Excellent for competitive gaming

**165 Hz - Premium Gaming**
- High-end gaming monitors
- Slight improvement over 144Hz
- Good for esports

**240 Hz - Competitive Gaming**
- Professional esports monitors
- Maximum competitive advantage
- Requires powerful GPU

**360 Hz - Pro Esports**
- Top-tier competitive gaming
- Used by professional players
- Minimal improvement over 240Hz for most users

Key Features

• Real-time refresh rate detection (FPS counter)
• Accurate Hz measurement (60Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz, etc.)
• FPS (frames per second) display
• Frame time analysis in milliseconds
• Live chart visualization with reference lines
• Sample collection tracking (up to 200 samples)
• Test duration timer
• Common refresh rates reference guide
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) compatible
• Detects G-Sync, FreeSync, Adaptive-Sync
• Works on all devices (desktop, laptop, tablet)
• Supports all monitor types (LCD, LED, OLED)
• 100% client-side testing (no server needed)
• No installation required (browser-based)
• Privacy-friendly (no data collection)
• Works offline after first load
• Free to use forever
• Mobile responsive design