How to Test Your Monitor Refresh Rate
Your monitor's refresh rate determines how many times per second the screen updates. A higher refresh rate means smoother motion. Here is how to verify yours.
Step-by-Step
- Open the Refresh Rate Test.
- Wait 5-10 seconds for the measurement to stabilize.
- The displayed Hz value should match your expected refresh rate (60, 120, 144, 240, etc.).
- If the value is lower than expected, check your OS display settings and cable.
Common Issues
- Wrong cable — HDMI 1.4 caps at 60Hz for 1440p+. Use DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+.
- OS settings — Windows defaults to 60Hz. Change in Settings → Display → Advanced.
- Battery saver — Laptops may throttle refresh rate on battery power.
- Browser throttling — Background tabs are throttled. Keep the test tab focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my 144Hz monitor show 60Hz in the test?
Your OS display settings may default to 60Hz. On Windows, go to Settings → Display → Advanced display settings and set the refresh rate to 144Hz. Also ensure you are using DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+ cable.
Can a browser test accurately measure refresh rate?
Browsers use requestAnimationFrame which syncs to your display refresh rate. Results are typically within 1-2 Hz of your actual rate but may be affected by background tasks, battery saving modes, or browser throttling.
Related Tools
Written by the DeviceKit Team
We build free, private, browser-based diagnostic tools for screens, keyboards, mice, webcams, microphones, speakers, and controllers. Our guides are written by the same engineers who build the tools — so the advice is practical, tested, and based on real hardware experience.