Set your display to its highest refresh rate in Windows or macOS, open the refresh rate test, keep the tab focused, and read the live Hz gauge. Then watch the motion blocks at 1×, 2×, 4×, and 8× speed — crisp edges on the fastest track usually mean the panel is actually running a high-refresh mode.
Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws. A 144Hz monitor should refresh 144 times per second (~6.94 ms per frame). Many laptops and monitors remain at 60Hz until you change settings manually, so a quick Hz check prevents return-window surprises.
Refresh rate vs frame rate vs frame time
| Term | Meaning | What this test shows |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh rate (Hz) | Display redraws per second | Live gauge: current, average, min, max |
| Frame rate (FPS) | Frames rendered per second | In a browser, usually locked near display Hz |
| Frame time (ms) | Gap between frames | Bar chart — spikes mean stutter |
Higher Hz reduces motion blur and input lag in games and scrolling. The refresh rate tool measures what your panel is doing in this browser session, not what the box label claims.
One-minute test routine
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Set OS refresh to maximum
- Windows: Settings → System → Display → Advanced display → choose highest Hz.
- macOS: System Settings → Displays — hold Option and click Scaled to expose refresh rate on supported panels.
- GPU control panel: NVIDIA/AMD/Intel can override per display — match the OS value.
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Open the refresh rate test in Chrome or Edge for best
requestAnimationFrametiming. Fullscreen is optional; focus matters more. -
Keep this tab focused for 10–15 seconds. Background tabs throttle timers and under-report Hz.
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Read the gauge — current Hz should sit near your target (e.g. 143–144 on a 144Hz panel). Occasional dips are normal; sustained 60 on a 144Hz setup means settings or cable limits.
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Check the frame time chart — even green bars at ~6.9ms (144Hz) or ~16.7ms (60Hz). Red spikes mean dropped frames or throttling.
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Run the motion block test at 8× speed. On 60Hz you will see soft, doubled edges; on 120Hz+ the block should look sharper with less smear.
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Compare speeds — switch 1× → 4× → 8×. If all tracks look identical and blurry, you are likely capped at 60Hz or the tab lost focus.
Common Hz targets
| Rating | Frame budget | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 60Hz | ~16.67ms | Office, video, budget panels |
| 75Hz | ~13.33ms | Entry gaming |
| 120Hz | ~8.33ms | Consoles, many laptops |
| 144Hz | ~6.94ms | PC gaming standard |
| 165Hz | ~6.06ms | Mid-range gaming monitors |
| 240Hz | ~4.17ms | Competitive esports |
| 360Hz+ | ~2.78ms | High-end gaming |
Small gaps (141–144 on a 144Hz label) are normal. Stuck at 60 when you expect higher is a setup problem, not a “bad panel” by itself.
Why your test might show 60Hz
- OS or laptop power mode capped refresh on battery.
- HDMI bandwidth — old HDMI on 1440p/4K high refresh may fall back to 60; try DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1.
- Wrong display — test ran on a secondary monitor still at 60Hz.
- Browser tab unfocused — switch back to the test tab and wait a few seconds.
- Remote desktop or VM — refresh is often locked to 60 regardless of physical panel.
After fixing settings, re-run the gauge before RMAing hardware.
Pair with related display checks
Refresh rate confirms motion timing, not color or pixel health. After your Hz check:
- Ghosting test — response time and trailing in motion.
- Tearing test — sync and tearing artifacts.
- Resolution checker — native resolution and scaling.
- Display tests hub — dead pixels, uniformity, and more in one workflow.
When results are “good enough”
- Gauge within ~2–3 Hz of the rated mode for 15+ seconds while focused.
- Frame times clustered near the expected millisecond budget without frequent spikes.
- Visible sharpening on faster motion blocks versus a known 60Hz session on the same machine.
Browser Hz tests are for verification and troubleshooting, not lab certification. For warranty claims, note OS settings, cable type, and a screenshot of the gauge plus motion blocks.
Keep learning: How to test ghosting · How to check screen resolution · Laptop screen test · Monitor screen test · All display tools
