Monitor Refresh Rate Test — Check 144Hz, 240Hz & Display Hz Online
Is your 144Hz monitor actually running at 144Hz? Many displays ship configured at 60Hz by default, and users never change it. A monitor refresh rate test confirms whether you are getting the speed you paid for — and our free online tool makes verification instant.
Open the Refresh Rate Test to check your display Hz in seconds.
What Is Refresh Rate?
Refresh rate measures how many times per second your monitor updates the image, expressed in Hertz (Hz):
- 60Hz — 60 frames per second. Standard for office monitors and older displays.
- 144Hz — 144 frames per second. Popular for gaming and smooth scrolling.
- 240Hz — 240 frames per second. Competitive gaming and high-end esports.
- 360Hz — 360 frames per second. Enthusiast-tier gaming monitors.
Higher refresh rate means smoother motion, reduced blur, and lower input lag in games and fast-scrolling content. But you only benefit if the monitor is actually set to its maximum refresh rate — which is where the 144Hz test comes in.
How to Test Refresh Rate Online
Our Refresh Rate Test uses high-speed visual patterns to reveal your actual display refresh rate:
- Open the Refresh Rate Test tool.
- Enter fullscreen mode (F11 on desktop).
- Observe the motion patterns — smoother animation indicates higher refresh rate.
- Compare by changing your system refresh rate setting.
- The visual difference between 60Hz and 144Hz should be immediately obvious.
The test displays rapid motion that appears to stutter at 60Hz but flows smoothly at 144Hz or higher. If you cannot see a difference after setting 144Hz in your system, something is wrong.
Why Your 144Hz Monitor Might Run at 60Hz
Common reasons for lower-than-expected refresh rate:
Default Settings
Most monitors default to 60Hz out of the box. You must manually set the higher refresh rate in your operating system display settings.
Cable Limitations
- HDMI 1.4 — Max 1080p at 144Hz (sometimes limited to 60Hz at higher resolutions)
- HDMI 2.0 — Up to 1440p at 144Hz
- DisplayPort 1.2 — Up to 1440p at 144Hz
- DisplayPort 1.4 — Up to 4K at 144Hz
An old or low-spec cable can cap your refresh rate. Try a certified DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+ cable.
GPU Output Limits
Some laptop outputs (especially through USB-C hubs or docking stations) limit refresh rate. Connect directly to the GPU when testing.
Resolution Trade-offs
Higher resolution reduces maximum refresh rate on some panels. A monitor might support 1080p at 240Hz but only 60Hz at 4K. Check the spec sheet for your specific resolution.
How to Set 144Hz on Your System
Windows
- Right-click desktop → Display settings.
- Click Advanced display settings.
- Select your monitor.
- Choose Display adapter properties.
- Go to the Monitor tab.
- Select 144 Hertz from the dropdown.
- Apply and confirm.
Then run the Refresh Rate Test to verify.
macOS
- System Settings → Displays.
- Select your monitor.
- Choose Refresh Rate → 144Hz (or highest available).
- Confirm the change.
Note: Not all Mac models support 144Hz on all monitors.
Linux
Use your desktop environment's display settings or xrandr:
xrandr --output HDMI-1 --mode 1920x1080 --rate 144
Replace output name and resolution as needed.
144Hz vs 60Hz: What You Should See
The difference is dramatic in the refresh rate test:
| Refresh Rate | Motion Appearance | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 60Hz | Visible stepping/stutter | Office, video |
| 144Hz | Smooth, fluid motion | Gaming, scrolling |
| 240Hz | Extremely smooth | Competitive gaming |
| 360Hz | Maximum fluidity | Esports |
If the test looks identical at 60Hz and 144Hz settings, your monitor is not actually running at the higher rate. Check cables, ports, and settings.
Refresh Rate Test for Gaming
Competitive gamers specifically seek high refresh rates for:
- Reduced motion blur — Cleaner tracking of moving targets
- Lower input lag — Faster response between action and display
- Smoother aim — More frames between each mouse movement
Before buying a gaming monitor, run the Refresh Rate Test on your current display to understand the baseline improvement you will gain.
Also combine with our Pixel Test and Black Screen for a complete new monitor evaluation.
Related Tools
Complete your monitor performance check:
Related tools: Pixel Test · Gradient Test · Black Screen · Gray Screen