Monitor Refresh Rate Test

Whether you just bought a 144Hz gaming monitor and want to confirm it's running at full speed, or you're simply curious whether your laptop screen is 60Hz or something faster, this refresh rate tester gives you a straight answer in a few seconds — no downloads, no sign-up, no technical background required.

What Does "Refresh Rate" Actually Mean?

Every monitor redraws its image a set number of times per second, and that number is called the refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz).

• 60Hz — the display redraws 60 times per second (standard for most everyday monitors and TVs)
• 90Hz — common on newer phones and some budget gaming monitors
• 120Hz — smooth motion, popular on modern smartphones and monitors
• 144Hz — the go-to standard for gaming monitors
• 165Hz / 240Hz — high-end gaming displays built for competitive, fast-paced titles

The higher the number, the smoother motion looks on screen — less blur when scrolling, more fluid animations, and noticeably more responsive gameplay.

Common Refresh Rates and What They're Used For

Monitor Refresh Rate Test: How It Works

This monitor test doubles as a screen test — it measures the real-time refresh rate your browser and display are running together, not just the number printed on the box. Because it relies on how your monitor and operating system are currently configured, it's one of the fastest ways to catch a mismatch, like a 144Hz monitor that's quietly running at 60Hz.

How to Test Monitor Refresh Rate

You don't need any technical knowledge to run this test screen — just:

1. Run the test above. The tool uses your browser's animation timing to measure how frequently the screen actually updates.
2. Give it a few seconds. The reading stabilizes as it gathers enough samples for an accurate result.
3. Read your result. You'll see the refresh rate currently active — not necessarily your monitor's maximum capability, but what's actually running right now.
4. Compare it to your monitor's spec sheet. If your monitor is rated for 144Hz but the test reports 60Hz, something in your setup — a cable, a driver, or an OS setting — is holding it back.

This is really the core reason people look up how to test monitor refresh rate in the first place: not just to see a number, but to confirm it matches what they paid for.

How to Check Monitor Refresh Rate on Windows

If the test shows something unexpected, it's worth confirming your operating system's own setting:

Windows 11

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System → Display
3. Click Advanced display
4. Look at the Refresh rate field, and change it if a higher option is available

Windows 10

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System → Display
3. Click Advanced display settings
4. Check the current refresh rate under your display's properties

If Windows itself is set to 60Hz even though your monitor supports more, that's usually the first thing to fix — then re-run the refresh rate test to confirm it picked up the change.

How to Test Refresh Rate on a Mac

On macOS, refresh rate options depend on your specific display, but here's where to look:

1. Open System Settings
2. Select Displays
3. Choose your monitor from the list
4. Check the available refresh rate options in the dropdown

External high-refresh monitors connected to a Mac sometimes need a specific cable (like DisplayPort or a higher-bandwidth HDMI) to unlock their full refresh rate — a common reason people see lower numbers than expected.

How to Test iPhone Refresh Rate

Yes, you can test refresh rate on an iPhone too, to an extent. Newer iPhones with ProMotion displays support adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, and running this test in your mobile browser gives you an estimate of what's currently active. Keep in mind:

• Low Power Mode often caps the refresh rate at 60Hz
• Adaptive refresh technology means the rate can shift depending on what's on screen
• Results can vary slightly between Safari and other mobile browsers

If you're trying to confirm ProMotion is working, testing with Low Power Mode off and the screen at normal brightness gives the most representative reading.

Display Refresh Rate Test: 144Hz and Beyond

If you've just picked up a 144Hz gaming monitor, this is usually the exact moment people reach for a 144Hz test — you want to know it's actually running at 144Hz and not silently defaulting to 60Hz.

A few things can quietly cap your refresh rate even on a monitor rated for 144Hz:

• Cable type — older HDMI cables may not have the bandwidth for 144Hz at your resolution
• GPU settings — some graphics drivers default to a lower refresh rate
• OS display settings — Windows or macOS may not be set to the maximum rate
• Adaptive sync technologies — these can cause the effective rate to vary depending on load

Running the test after adjusting each of these is the quickest way to isolate what's causing the mismatch.

Adaptive Sync, G-Sync, and FreeSync

You may have come across terms like Adaptive Sync, NVIDIA G-Sync, or AMD FreeSync while shopping for a monitor. These are technologies that let your display's refresh rate vary in real time to match the frame rate your GPU is producing, rather than sticking to one fixed number.

• Adaptive Sync is the general, open standard behind this behavior (part of the DisplayPort and HDMI specs)
• NVIDIA G-Sync is NVIDIA's proprietary implementation, often requiring specific monitor hardware
• AMD FreeSync is AMD's equivalent, generally more widely compatible across monitor brands

If your display uses one of these technologies, don't be surprised if a refresh rate test shows a slightly different number each time you run it — that's the adaptive sync feature working as intended, not an error.

Refresh Rate vs. FPS: What's the Difference?

These two terms get used interchangeably, but they measure different things:

Think of it this way: your GPU can produce frames as fast as it wants, but your monitor can only display as many as its refresh rate allows. A 144Hz monitor paired with a game running at 240 FPS won't show all 240 frames — it's capped at showing 144 per second. If you're comparing this to an fps monitor checker or in-game frame counter, remember they're measuring a different half of the equation. Matching your in-game FPS to your monitor's refresh rate (or getting close to it) is usually where the smoothest experience lives.

Why Is My Monitor Stuck at 60Hz?

This is one of the most common results people run into when they expected higher. Usual suspects:

• The refresh rate is manually set to 60Hz in your display settings
• An older or lower-bandwidth cable is limiting the connection
• Graphics drivers are outdated
• The display resolution is set higher than the cable/GPU combination supports at higher Hz
• A laptop is running in a power-saving mode that throttles the display
• The browser itself has rendering limitations at the moment

Working through this list in order and re-running the test after each change usually narrows it down quickly.

Is This Refresh Rate Test Accurate?

This is a browser-based measurement, so it's an estimate rather than a lab-grade reading — but for the vast majority of people, it's more than accurate enough to tell 60Hz apart from 120Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz. A few things that can introduce small variations:

• Background apps competing for system resources
• Browser tab scheduling
• Adaptive sync features actively adjusting the rate
• Power-saving settings on laptops and phones

Why Trust This Test?

This tool measures your monitor's active refresh rate using your browser's built-in animation timing. There's nothing to install, no screen recordings, and no personal information involved — every measurement happens locally in your browser and never leaves your device.

Supported Browsers

This refresh rate tester works in all major modern browsers, including:

• Chrome
• Edge
• Firefox
• Safari
• Brave
• Opera

Because each browser schedules animation frames slightly differently, you may notice small variations in the reported number from one browser to the next — this is normal and doesn't mean the test is wrong.

Tips for the Most Reliable Result

• Close unnecessary browser tabs and background apps
• Use full-screen mode if your browser supports it
• Wait several seconds — don't read the number the instant it appears
• Turn off battery saver or low-power mode before testing
• Set your monitor to its maximum supported refresh rate beforehand

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a good refresh rate for everyday use?

60Hz is perfectly fine for browsing, office work, and general use. If you're gaming or doing anything fast-paced, 120Hz, 144Hz, or higher will feel noticeably smoother.

Can this test detect 240Hz displays?

Yes, as long as your browser and hardware support reporting it, the test can register rates up to 240Hz and beyond.

Why does my 144Hz monitor show 60Hz in the test?

Almost always a settings, cable, or driver issue — see the "Why Is My Monitor Stuck at 60Hz?" section above for the full checklist.

Is refresh rate the same thing as FPS?

No. Refresh rate is set by your monitor and describes how often it updates the image. FPS is generated by your graphics card and describes how many frames it renders per second.

Do I need to download anything to use this test?

No — it runs entirely in your browser with no installs, downloads, or sign-ups required.

Does it work on every browser?

It works on all major modern browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Brave, and Opera. Minor variations between browsers are normal and expected.

More Tools on WhiteScreenHD

If this monitor refresh rate test helped, you might also find these useful:

• Graphics Card Check (GPU / frame-rate context)
• Screen Resolution Test
• Browser Test
• Dead Pixel Test (full-screen black)
• Touch Screen Test (touch display check)

Why Use This Test?

Whether you're setting up a brand-new gaming monitor, troubleshooting a display that feels off, or just curious what your screen is really doing, this monitor test refresh rate tool gives you a fast, no-fuss way to check. No installs, no account, no technical background needed — just open the page and see your number.