Refresh Rate Test — Free Online Test
Your monitor's refresh rate is how many times per second it can redraw the image, measured in hertz (Hz). Standard laptops run at 60 Hz, gaming laptops at 120, 144, 165, or 240 Hz, and pro displays as high as 480 Hz. Our free Refresh Rate Test uses the browser's requestAnimationFrame API to measure exactly how many frames your display actually delivers per second — not just what the spec sheet claims. If you paid for a 144 Hz panel but Windows is only outputting 60 Hz, this test will tell you in seconds.
How to use the Refresh Rate Test
- Close any other tabs, videos, and heavy apps so your GPU is idle.
- Plug the laptop in — most laptops throttle refresh rate on battery.
- Click Start Test. A moving object will scroll across the screen for several seconds.
- Wait for the average FPS reading to stabilize.
- Compare the reading to your display's advertised refresh rate.
- If the numbers differ, update your Windows refresh setting or GPU driver.
How to interpret your results
The measured average should be within 1-2 Hz of your display's spec (a 144 Hz panel will typically show 143-144 FPS). If it reads much lower — for example, a 144 Hz panel measuring 60 Hz — Windows or macOS is not configured to use the full refresh rate. If the minimum is far below the average, your GPU is dropping frames (usually due to background load or thermal throttling).
Common issues and what they mean
Reads 60 Hz on a 144 Hz laptop
On Windows: Settings > Display > Advanced display > Refresh rate. Change it to the maximum available. On macOS: System Settings > Displays > Refresh rate.
Reading drops sharply on battery
Many laptops force 60 Hz on battery to save power. Check power settings — on Dell, Lenovo, ASUS this is typically in the vendor's app or in Windows Graphics Settings.
FPS unstable, jumps around
Close other tabs, disable Chrome hardware acceleration temporarily, and test again. Browser throttling is the most common cause.
Reading above rated refresh
Some panels support overclocked refresh rates. Check whether you enabled 165 Hz overclock or G-Sync/FreeSync overdrive in your GPU control panel.
When to run this test
- Right after buying a laptop advertised as 120/144/240 Hz.
- After connecting a new external monitor by HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C.
- When a game feels less smooth than expected despite a high frame counter.
- After a Windows update or GPU driver install.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my 144 Hz laptop show only 60 Hz?
Windows defaults many new displays to 60 Hz. Go to Settings > Display > Advanced display and change the refresh rate to the maximum offered.
Is 144 Hz worth it over 60 Hz?
Yes for gaming, competitive shooters, and fast scrolling. For office work, video, and browsing, the difference is nice but not essential.
Can this test detect frame skipping?
Yes — a wide gap between the minimum and average FPS indicates skipped frames. For pixel-level frame skipping, use a UFO test alongside our tool.
Does the test work on external monitors?
Yes. Move the browser window to the external display, then start the test.