How the refresh rate test works
Your browser draws a new frame each time your display refreshes. This frame rate tester times hundreds of those frames, takes the typical interval between them and converts it to hertz, then matches it to standard panel rates such as 60, 75, 120, 144, 165 and 240 Hz. The moving ball gives you a visual check: on a high refresh rate screen it should glide noticeably more smoothly than at 60 Hz.
The frame time graph shows every recent frame. Bars at an even height mean steady timing; tall amber bars are dropped or late frames.
Monitor stuck at 60 Hz? Check these
- Set the rate in your OS. Windows: Settings → System → Display → Advanced display → Choose a refresh rate. macOS: System Settings → Displays → Refresh rate.
- Use the right cable and port. DisplayPort, or HDMI 2.0/2.1 with a certified cable, is needed for high rates at high resolutions. Plug into the graphics card, not the motherboard.
- Turn off battery saver. Laptops and phones often cap the refresh rate to save power.
- Check the monitor's own menu. Some monitors need an overclock or high refresh mode switched on.
- Close other heavy apps and re-run the test; a busy system can drop frames.
Check motion clarity next
A high refresh rate only helps if the panel's pixels respond fast enough. Use the ghosting test to see motion blur, ghost trails and overshoot at different speeds.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my monitor's refresh rate?
Open this page and wait a couple of seconds. It measures how often your browser can draw a new frame, which matches your display's refresh rate, and shows the result in Hz. Keep the tab in front and avoid moving windows while it measures.
Is this an FPS test?
Yes. It works as an online FPS test and frame rate test: the Frame rate now box shows how many frames per second your browser is drawing, which on a healthy system matches your monitor's refresh rate. It measures your display and browser, not the frame rate of a game.
Why does the test show 60 Hz on my 144 Hz monitor?
Usually the monitor is still set to 60 Hz in your operating system's display settings, the cable or port does not support the higher rate, or a battery saver mode is limiting frame rate. Set the refresh rate in Windows Display settings or macOS Displays, and use a DisplayPort or high-speed HDMI cable.
What is the difference between refresh rate and frame rate?
Refresh rate, measured in hertz, is how many times per second the display redraws the picture. Frame rate, measured in frames per second, is how many new images your computer produces. On this page the browser draws one frame per refresh, so the two match.
Is this refresh rate test accurate?
It is accurate to within about one or two hertz on most systems. Variable refresh rate, power saving modes, a busy computer or several monitors running at different rates can make the reading lower or less stable.
What are dropped frames?
A dropped frame is a refresh where the browser could not draw a new image in time, so the previous one stayed on screen. A few are normal; many dropped frames point to a busy computer, power saving or a display connection problem.
Does the refresh rate test work on phones?
Yes. It works on phones and tablets, including 90 Hz and 120 Hz screens. Some phones lower the refresh rate in battery saver mode or when the screen content is static, so tap or scroll the page if the reading looks low.