Monitor Refresh Rate Test
Test your monitor refresh rate visually by watching moving blocks at different frame rates. Compare 60fps, 120fps, 144fps, and 240fps rows to see which ones appear smooth on your display. Includes a real-time FPS counter and frame time graph to detect frame skipping.
Frame Time Graph (last 120 frames)
How the Monitor Refresh Rate Test Works
This monitor refresh rate test uses the browser requestAnimationFrame API to animate blocks at different target frame rates. Each row simulates motion as if your display were running at that specific refresh rate by limiting how often the block position updates. Your actual monitor Hz determines which rows appear smooth and which appear choppy. The FPS counter shows your real achieved frame rate, and the frame time graph reveals any inconsistencies or frame drops. This is the fastest way to check monitor Hz without installing any software.
Frame Time by Refresh Rate
Frame Time (ms) = 1000 / Refresh Rate (Hz)
60 Hz = 16.67ms per frame
120 Hz = 8.33ms per frame
144 Hz = 6.94ms per frame
240 Hz = 4.17ms per frame
Your browser cannot display more frames per second than your monitor supports. If your monitor is 60Hz, all rows above 60fps will look identical because the display physically updates only 60 times per second.
Interpreting Your Monitor Refresh Rate Test Results
The detected Hz estimate is based on the maximum frame rate your browser achieves, which closely matches your monitor refresh rate. If the FPS counter shows 60, your monitor or browser is limited to 60Hz. A reading of 144 indicates your display is running at 144Hz. Some browsers cap frame rates for power saving, so ensure your browser is not in a low-power mode. For the most accurate results, close other tabs and applications that might compete for GPU resources. If your detected Hz is lower than expected, check your display settings in your operating system and verify your cable supports the required bandwidth.
60Hz vs 144Hz Test: Why It Matters for Gaming
The difference between 60Hz and 144Hz is one of the most impactful upgrades a gamer can make. At 60Hz, each frame persists for 16.67ms, which produces noticeable motion blur during fast camera movements. At 144Hz, frames refresh every 6.94ms, resulting in dramatically smoother motion and reduced input lag. This monitor refresh rate test makes the difference immediately visible — if the 144fps row looks noticeably smoother than the 60fps row, your monitor is running above 60Hz. For competitive games like Valorant and CS2, the responsiveness advantage of 144Hz or higher provides a measurable edge in reaction time and target tracking. Use our gaming monitor calculator to find the ideal resolution and size to pair with your refresh rate.
Frame Skipping Test and Common Issues
A frame skipping test checks whether your display is actually rendering every frame it receives. Frame skipping occurs when your display drops frames, causing visible stutters in otherwise smooth animation. This can happen when your GPU cannot keep up with the refresh rate, when VSync is misconfigured, or when background processes consume system resources. The frame time graph makes these drops easy to spot as spikes above the normal baseline. Consistent frame times indicate a stable display, while irregular spikes suggest frame skipping or thermal throttling. If you notice frame drops, check whether your hardware is the culprit with our PC bottleneck calculator.
How to Check Monitor Hz in Your OS
Competitive gamers use this monitor refresh rate test to verify their display is actually running at its advertised Hz. A common issue is purchasing a 144Hz monitor but leaving it configured at 60Hz in display settings. On Windows, right-click the desktop, select Display Settings, then Advanced Display Settings to see your current refresh rate. On macOS, go to System Settings then Displays to check the refresh rate option. After changing display settings, run this test again to verify the change took effect. The visual comparison between the 60fps, 120fps, 144fps, and 240fps rows makes it immediately obvious whether your monitor is achieving its full refresh rate potential. For a complete setup check, also test your keyboard responsiveness and mouse sensitivity to ensure every component of your gaming rig is performing optimally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this refresh rate test work?
The test animates blocks using requestAnimationFrame, which syncs with your monitor's actual refresh rate. Each row limits its update frequency to simulate different frame rates (60, 120, 144, 240 fps). Your monitor's refresh rate determines which rows appear smooth. Rows targeting a higher fps than your monitor supports will look choppy.
Why does my FPS show 60 on a 144Hz monitor?
Your monitor might be set to 60Hz in your operating system display settings. Check your display settings and ensure the refresh rate is set to 144Hz. Also verify your cable supports the required bandwidth — HDMI 1.4 is limited to 60Hz at high resolutions. Use DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+ for 144Hz.
What is frame skipping?
Frame skipping occurs when your display fails to show every frame, causing stutters in otherwise smooth animation. It appears as irregular jumps in the moving blocks. The frame time graph shows this as spikes above the baseline. Common causes include GPU overload, VSync issues, or thermal throttling.
Can a browser accurately detect refresh rate?
Yes, modern browsers sync requestAnimationFrame to the display refresh rate. The FPS counter will closely match your monitor's Hz setting. Some browsers may cap frame rates for power saving (especially on laptops), so disable any power-saving modes for accurate results.
Should all rows look the same on my monitor?
Rows at or below your monitor's refresh rate should look smooth. Rows above your refresh rate will appear identical to your maximum because your monitor physically cannot display more frames. If a row below your Hz looks choppy, you may have frame skipping issues.
Does browser choice affect the results?
Yes. Chrome and Edge typically provide the most accurate results as they handle requestAnimationFrame efficiently. Firefox is also reliable. Safari may cap frame rates differently. For the most accurate test, use a Chromium-based browser with hardware acceleration enabled.
Is my data collected during the test?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser. No frame rate data, system information, or personal data is sent to any server. All animations and measurements happen locally in your current tab.