Refresh Rate Test
We will measure your display's refresh rate over a 3-second window. Keep this tab active and avoid switching windows during measurement.
How to Use This Test
Start Measurement
Click 'Start Measurement' to begin the 3-second frame timing analysis. The test uses requestAnimationFrame to count display updates.
Keep the Tab Active
Switching tabs or minimizing the browser will pause frame counting. Keep this tab in focus throughout the measurement period.
View Results
After 3 seconds, the test displays the detected refresh rate (60/90/120/144Hz) along with the raw FPS measurement and a quality rating.
Rate Your Display
If the detected rate matches your device specifications, tap 'Looks Good'. If it's lower than expected, select 'Below Expected'.
What Your Results Mean
120Hz or Higher Detected
Excellent. Your display supports high refresh rate for ultra-smooth scrolling, animations, and gaming.
90Hz Detected
Good. Above standard refresh rate providing noticeably smoother visuals than standard 60Hz displays.
60Hz Detected
Standard refresh rate. This is the baseline for most displays and provides adequate performance for general use.
Below 60Hz Detected
Unusually low refresh rate. This may indicate the browser is throttled, the display is in power-saving mode, or there's a hardware limitation.
Common Problems and Fixes
Test shows 60Hz but my phone is 120Hz
Many phones default to 60Hz to save battery. Go to Settings > Display > Refresh Rate and select 'Adaptive' or '120Hz'. Some phones only switch to high refresh rate when scrolling — try scrolling during the test.
Result shows a non-standard number like 73Hz
The test reports the nearest common rate. If the raw measurement is between standard rates, the display may use adaptive refresh rate technology that dynamically adjusts. The nearest common rate is the most likely hardware capability.
Refresh rate seems to change between tests
Adaptive refresh rate displays adjust based on content. The display may run at 60Hz when static and 120Hz when scrolling. The test captures the rate during the measurement window, which may vary.
Desktop monitor shows unexpected refresh rate
Check your monitor's OSD settings to confirm its refresh rate. In Windows, go to Settings > Display > Advanced Display. In macOS, check System Preferences > Displays > Refresh Rate.
Browser caps the refresh rate
Some browsers have their own frame rate limits. Ensure vsync is enabled in your GPU settings. Chrome users can check chrome://flags for frame rate settings. Disable battery saver mode which may throttle the refresh rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is screen refresh rate?
Refresh rate measures how many times per second your display updates the image, measured in Hertz (Hz). A 60Hz screen updates 60 times per second, while a 120Hz screen updates 120 times per second. Higher refresh rates provide smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming.
Why does my 120Hz phone show 60Hz in the test?
Many phones default to 60Hz to save battery and only switch to 120Hz when scrolling or in supported apps. Check your phone's display settings — some require you to manually enable 'Adaptive' or 'High' refresh rate mode.
Is higher refresh rate always better?
Higher refresh rates provide smoother visuals but consume more battery. 60Hz is fine for general use, 90Hz is a good balance, and 120Hz+ is preferred for gaming and smooth scrolling. The battery trade-off is worth it for some users but not others.
Can I change my display's refresh rate?
On phones, check Settings > Display > Refresh Rate or Motion Smoothness. On desktop, check your monitor's OSD (on-screen display) settings and your GPU driver control panel. Not all displays support variable refresh rates.
Does this test work on external monitors?
The test measures the browser's rendering frame rate, which is capped by the display's refresh rate. On external monitors, the result reflects the monitor's refresh rate setting, but the test itself runs in the browser window.
What's the difference between refresh rate and FPS?
Refresh rate is how fast your display updates (hardware limit). FPS is how fast your device renders frames (software/GPU limit). FPS can be lower than refresh rate if the GPU can't keep up. Ideally, FPS should match or exceed the refresh rate for the smoothest experience.
Why This Test Matters
Verifying your phone actually runs at the advertised refresh rate
Checking if adaptive refresh rate is working correctly
Confirming display settings after a software update
Comparing display smoothness between different devices
Diagnosing why animations look choppy on a high-refresh-rate display