Monitor Refresh Rate Test: How to Check Your Screen Hz Online

On this page

1. What Is Refresh Rate?
2. How to Check Your Current Refresh Rate (Windows 11)
3. How to Check Your Current Refresh Rate (macOS)
4. Online Refresh Rate Test
5. Why Is My Monitor Not Running at Its Max Hz?
6. Does a Higher Refresh Rate Really Make a Difference?
7. Refresh Rate vs Frame Rate: Understanding the Difference
8. Frequently Asked Questions

Your monitor's refresh rate determines how many times per second it updates the image on screen. A higher refresh rate means smoother motion, faster response, and a more comfortable viewing experience. But how do you know if your monitor is actually running at its advertised Hz? This guide covers exactly how to check — and what to do if it is not performing as expected.

What Is Refresh Rate?

Refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz) and represents the number of frames per second that your display can render. Common refresh rates include:

• 60 Hz – Standard for office and casual use
• 75 Hz – Entry-level gaming monitors
• 144 Hz – The mainstream gaming standard
• 165 Hz / 180 Hz – Mid-range competitive gaming
• 240 Hz / 360 Hz – Professional esports monitors

It is important to understand that a monitor rated at 144 Hz will only run at 144 Hz if your operating system, display port, and graphics card are all configured correctly. Many users find their 144 Hz monitor running at 60 Hz after an OS reinstall or driver update.

How to Check Your Current Refresh Rate (Windows 11)

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click Advanced display.
3. Under “Choose a refresh rate,” confirm the current selection matches your monitor's rated maximum.
4. If it does not, click the dropdown and select the correct Hz value.

How to Check Your Current Refresh Rate (macOS)

1. Open System Settings (Apple menu).
2. Navigate to Displays.
3. Look for the Refresh Rate dropdown (on supported monitors) or click ProMotion settings on Apple Silicon Macs.

Online Refresh Rate Test

The quickest way to verify your actual refresh rate is with an online test. Our monitor refresh rate test tool detects and displays your live frame rate directly in the browser. No software installation is required. The tool uses the browser's requestAnimationFrame API to count rendered frames per second, giving you an accurate real-world measurement.

Why Is My Monitor Not Running at Its Max Hz?

• Wrong cable – HDMI 1.4 caps out at 1080p/120 Hz. Use DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+ for higher refresh rates.
• OS refresh rate set incorrectly – Windows defaults to 60 Hz on new monitor connections. Manually set the correct value.
• GPU driver issue – An outdated or corrupted GPU driver may not expose the full refresh rate range.
• DSC / chroma subsampling – Some ultra-high-Hz modes require Display Stream Compression to work over existing cable standards.
• Adaptive sync conflict – G-Sync or FreeSync settings can occasionally cap the reported Hz in certain software.

Does a Higher Refresh Rate Really Make a Difference?

The jump from 60 Hz to 144 Hz is the most noticeable upgrade in display technology most users will ever make. The improvement in motion clarity is dramatic and immediately visible even to non-gamers. The jump from 144 Hz to 240 Hz is more subtle and primarily benefits competitive gamers who need every millisecond of advantage. Beyond 240 Hz, the visual benefit is marginal for most people.

Refresh Rate vs Frame Rate: Understanding the Difference

Refresh rate is a hardware property of the monitor. Frame rate (FPS) is a software output from your GPU and game engine. For the smoothest experience, you want your FPS to match or exceed your refresh rate. Technologies like NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync synchronise the two dynamically to eliminate screen tearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I increase my monitor's refresh rate beyond its rated maximum?

Yes, through a process called overclocking. In NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software, you can create a custom resolution with a higher Hz value. Results vary — some panels can run stably 5–10 Hz above their rated spec, but others show artefacts or instability.

Does refresh rate affect eye strain?

Higher refresh rates generally reduce perceived flicker, which can decrease eye fatigue during long work or gaming sessions. Moving from 60 Hz to 120 Hz or higher is often cited as a significant comfort improvement.

What is the best refresh rate for office work?

For office work and content creation, 60 Hz is sufficient. However, 75–144 Hz makes scrolling and window movement feel noticeably smoother, and the price difference is now minimal. Our monitor settings guide covers recommended configurations for different use cases.