Detected Refresh Rate
Measuring…
Refresh Rate Test — What Hz Is My Monitor?
Detect your screen's real refresh rate (Hz) live in the browser, watch the frames-per-second your display is actually delivering, and use the motion test to judge smoothness. Useful for checking a new monitor is running at its advertised rate — a 144Hz screen accidentally left at 60Hz is one of the most common display mistakes.
Live measurement
Current FPS
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Average Frame Time
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Stability
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Samples
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Motion smoothness test
The bars move at the same speed. On a high-refresh screen running correctly, motion looks noticeably smoother and the moving bars stay sharper. Follow a bar with your eyes — stutter, skipped steps or heavy blur point to a refresh rate, cable or graphics settings issue.
Bar 1
Bar 2
Bar 3
About the refresh rate test
The refresh rate test measures how often your browser actually receives a new frame from the display, then matches that figure to the nearest common monitor rate — 60, 75, 90, 100, 120, 144, 165, 240 or 360 Hz. It also shows live frames per second, the average frame time and how evenly frames arrive.
The most common reason people run it is to check that a new high-refresh monitor is really running at its advertised rate. Out of the box, many 144 Hz and 165 Hz screens run at 60 Hz because the operating system setting was never changed or the cable cannot carry the higher rate — and the difference is easy to miss by eye.
Because it measures what reaches the browser, the test also catches problems that spec sheets do not: power-saving modes that cap frame delivery, docks that limit bandwidth, or a second monitor running slower than the first.
What it looks like in use
Understanding your refresh rate result
The test measures how often your browser receives a new frame from the display pipeline, averaged and matched to common monitor rates. It reveals what your screen is actually delivering, not just what the box promised.
What this test checks
- Detected refresh rate in Hz, matched against common rates such as 60, 75, 120, 144, 165 and 240.
- Live frames per second and average frame time in milliseconds.
- Frame time stability (jitter) - a smooth display delivers frames at very regular intervals.
- A motion test with moving bars for judging real-world smoothness by eye.
How to understand your results
- If a 144 Hz monitor reads ~60 Hz, the higher rate is not enabled: check display settings and the cable type.
- Stability matters as much as the headline number - jitter above a few milliseconds shows as micro-stutter.
- Browsers cap frame delivery in background tabs, on battery-saver modes and sometimes on secondary displays.
- The browser measures the compositor output, so a busy machine can read slightly below the true panel rate.
Common problems and fixes
144 Hz monitor shows 60 Hz
Enable the higher rate in Windows Advanced display settings or macOS Displays, and use DisplayPort or high-bandwidth HDMI - older cables silently limit the rate.
Unstable readings
Close heavy tabs and apps, plug in a laptop, and disable battery-saver mode. Power saving throttles frame delivery.
Second monitor reads lower
Some systems drive secondary displays at lower rates or share bandwidth across a dock. Test the monitor as the primary display.
Motion still looks blurry at high Hz
Panel response time causes blur independently of refresh rate. Check the overdrive setting in your monitor menu and compare with the screen display test.
FAQ
What refresh rate should my monitor run at?
Its native maximum - 60 Hz for standard office monitors, 120-165 Hz for most gaming screens. Higher rates make motion smoother.
Why does the test show slightly under my monitor rate?
Browser and system overhead can shave a little off. A reading within a few percent of the expected rate is normal.
Does refresh rate affect reaction time tests?
Yes - a 60 Hz screen can add up to 16 ms of display latency compared with a 240 Hz screen.
Can a cable really limit refresh rate?
Yes. Older HDMI cables and some adapters lack the bandwidth for high rates at full resolution, and the system quietly falls back to 60 Hz.
How long should I let the test run?
A few seconds is enough for the rate to settle. Keep the tab visible and avoid moving the window between monitors while it measures, or the reading will mix both screens.
Does variable refresh rate (G-Sync or FreeSync) change the result?
On the desktop, VRR usually runs at the maximum rate, so the test should still show your monitor’s top figure. In games the rate can float with the frame rate, which is expected.
Browser-based test disclaimer
TestMyPC results are browser-based and may vary depending on your device, browser, operating system, permissions, drivers, connection, power settings and connected accessories. Use these tools as practical first checks, then confirm important faults with operating-system diagnostics, manufacturer tools or a qualified technician where needed.