Refresh Rate Test
Measure your display's actual refresh rate in real time. Verify that 144Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz gaming monitors are running at full speed instead of falling back to 60Hz.
Why use this motion tool
Real-time Hz counter
The widget reads requestAnimationFrame timestamps to report your display's actual refresh rate, not the OS setting.
Frame-time graph
Visualize frame timing to spot stutter, dropped frames, and VSync behavior at a glance.
UFO-style motion test
A moving block exercises your panel's response time at the detected refresh rate, exposing ghosting and overshoot.
Browser-tab detection
Warns when the browser throttles background tabs, which is the #1 cause of false-low readings.
What is motion
Refresh rate is the number of times per second your display redraws the image, measured in hertz (Hz). A 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second; a 144Hz monitor 144 times. Higher refresh rates produce smoother motion, lower input lag, and reduced eye strain during fast-paced gaming or scrolling.
The number on the box is not always the number you get. Many 144Hz monitors ship at 60Hz out of the box because Windows defaults to 60Hz and the user must manually select the higher rate in display settings. Browser throttling, HDMI cable limits, and GPU settings can also cap the refresh rate below what the panel supports.
Refresh rate is different from frame rate (FPS), which is how many frames per second your GPU is rendering. A 144Hz monitor paired with a GPU pushing 60 FPS still only displays 60 unique frames per second, but each frame is held for 1/144th of a second, reducing tearing and input latency.
How to test
Step 1: Open the test in fullscreen
Maximize the browser window or press F11. Background tabs throttle the timer and produce false 60Hz readings.
Step 2: Read the Hz counter
The number shown is your display's actual refresh rate. If it says 60 on a 144Hz monitor, your OS or GPU isn't configured correctly.
Step 3: Check display settings
On Windows: Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. On macOS: System Settings > Displays. Select the highest available rate.
Step 4: Verify with the motion test
Watch the moving block. At 144Hz it glides smoothly; at 60Hz you'll see distinct ghosting edges.
Step 5: Re-test after each change
Some GPUs require a reboot to apply refresh rate changes. Re-run the test to confirm.
Common causes of motion issues
Windows defaults to 60Hz
Most installs pick 60Hz out of the box even on 144Hz+ monitors. You must manually select the higher rate.
Cable bandwidth limits
Older HDMI cables can't carry 4K@144Hz. Use DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 for high refresh at high resolution.
GPU control panel override
NVIDIA Control Panel and AMD Adrenalin can force a lower rate. Check both the OS and GPU settings.
Browser tab throttling
Browsers throttle background tabs to 1Hz. Keep the test tab in the foreground when measuring.
Frequently asked questions
Testing tips
- Close other tabs — browsers throttle background tabs and produce false-low readings.
- Use DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 144Hz or higher.
- Check GPU control panel settings, not just Windows display settings.
- Re-test after a reboot; some GPUs apply refresh changes only at startup.
Related tools
Why Your 144Hz Monitor Might Be Running at 60Hz
You spent good money on a 144Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz gaming monitor, expecting buttery-smooth motion. But something feels off — the cursor doesn't glide, the desktop feels slightly stuttery, and your kill count hasn't improved. The most likely culprit: Windows is running your premium panel at 60Hz.
This is shockingly common. Most Windows installs default to 60Hz even when a higher refresh rate is available. The monitor reports its capabilities over the display cable, but Windows picks the lowest common denominator until you explicitly choose otherwise. Plug in a 144Hz monitor, install drivers, and you'll still get 60Hz until you visit Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and select the higher rate from the refresh rate dropdown.
Verify the change with our refresh rate test. The browser reads requestAnimationFrame timestamps, which fire once per actual display refresh, so the Hz counter reflects what your panel is really doing — not what Windows claims. If the counter still reads 60 after you change the setting, something else is capping it.
The next suspect is the cable. HDMI 1.4 only supports 1080p@120Hz or 4K@30Hz. To get 1440p@144Hz or 4K@144Hz, you need DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. An older cable will silently fall back to a lower refresh rate without warning. Check both ends are seated fully and that you're using the cable that came with the monitor or a certified alternative.
GPU control panels can also override Windows. NVIDIA Control Panel has its own refresh rate dropdown under "Change resolution" that takes precedence. If NVIDIA says 60Hz, you get 60Hz even if Windows says 144Hz. AMD Adrenalin works similarly. Some laptops even throttle the panel when on battery — plug in and re-test.
Once your panel is genuinely running at its rated refresh rate, run the ghosting test and screen tearing test to verify motion quality. A 144Hz monitor with poor overdrive can look worse than a clean 60Hz panel. The combination of full refresh rate, low ghosting, and adaptive sync (G-Sync or FreeSync) is what actually delivers the smoothness you paid for.
Run the refresh rate test now
Free, no download, runs in any browser.
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