How to Run a Refresh Rate Test on Any Device (PC, Mac, Android & iPhone)

Administrator in Screen Test Dec 09 / 1 month ago

How to Run a Refresh Rate Test on Any Device (Desktop, Laptop, Phone & Tablet)

Your display's refresh rate—measured in Hertz (Hz)—determines how many times your screen updates its image every second. A higher refresh rate means smoother motion, reduced blur, and a more responsive feel during gaming or everyday scrolling. But here's the catch: just because your device claims to support 120Hz or 144Hz doesn't mean it's actually running at that speed right now.

Running a proper refresh rate test helps you verify that your monitor, laptop, phone, or TV is delivering the visual smoothness you paid for. Whether you're troubleshooting stuttering issues, optimizing for competitive gaming, or simply curious about your display performance, this guide walks you through multiple testing methods for every major platform—no technical expertise required.

What a "Refresh Rate Test" Actually Measures

Before diving into the tests, it's important to understand what you're actually measuring. Your screen refresh rate (expressed in Hz) is a hardware specification—it's the maximum number of frames your display can physically show per second. This differs from frames per second (FPS), which refers to how many frames your GPU or device is generating.

Most online refresh rate test tools work by measuring how frequently your browser renders frames. These browser-based testers are extremely convenient, but they have limitations: browser rendering engines, vsync settings, and system timers can cap or alter the reported value. For the most authoritative measurement, you'll want to cross-reference browser results with your operating system's built-in display settings.

Quick Checklist Before You Test

To get accurate results from any monitor refresh rate test or mobile screen check, follow these preparation steps:

• Use the correct cable: DisplayPort 1.2 or higher supports refresh rates above 144Hz; older HDMI versions may cap you at 60Hz or 120Hz depending on resolution
• Set your OS display to the highest Hz: Don't assume your system auto-selects the best setting—manually verify in display settings
• Close unnecessary apps and browser tabs: Background processes can interfere with frame timing
• Disable power-saving modes: Battery saver or eco modes often force lower refresh rates to conserve energy
• Update GPU drivers: Outdated graphics drivers may not expose high refresh rate options

Method A — Run an Online Browser Test (Fastest for Any Device)

The quickest way to check refresh rate across desktop, laptop, mobile, and even smart TVs is through browser-based tools. These tests work immediately without installing software.

Tools to Use

TestUFO / Blur Busters: The gold standard for motion clarity testing. Displays live animations with a decimal Hz readout and detects frame drops. Visit their screen refresh rate test page for instant results.

Refresh Rate Checker tools (like FrameRateTest or similar online utilities): Provide instant FPS and Hz readouts with mobile device support, though some may underreport adaptive refresh behavior.

How to Run a Browser Refresh Rate Test

1. Open the test page in your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work)
2. Keep the tab active and in focus—switching tabs or minimizing can throttle rendering
3. Wait at least 30 seconds for the tool to stabilize and measure accurately
4. Read the reported Hz value displayed on screen; compare it to your expected refresh rate

Limitations of Browser Testing

Browser tests rely on JavaScript timer precision and vsync behavior. If you're using variable refresh rate technology (G-Sync, FreeSync, or ProMotion), the test may show fluctuating numbers as your display adapts to content. Additionally, some browsers cap rendering at 60 FPS regardless of your hardware capabilities—this is particularly common on older devices or when hardware acceleration is disabled.

Method B — Check Built-in OS Settings (Most Reliable for Desktop/Laptop)

For the definitive answer on what your system is configured to deliver, check your operating system's display settings. This method shows the display refresh rate your computer is actively using.

Windows 10/11: Step-by-Step

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings
2. Scroll down and click Advanced Display (or "Advanced display settings")
3. Look for Choose a refresh rate dropdown menu
4. Select your desired refresh rate—options shown depend on your monitor's capabilities and cable connection

If you don't see options above 60Hz, check your cable type and GPU driver version.

macOS: Accessing Refresh Rate Options

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions)
2. Navigate to Displays
3. Look for Refresh Rate options—this appears only on Macs with external monitors or certain built-in displays that support variable rates (like ProMotion on MacBook Pro models)

Note: Many Macs default to 60Hz unless explicitly changed or connected to high-refresh external displays.

Linux: Quick Terminal Check

Most Linux distributions allow refresh rate verification through display compositor settings or the xrandr command-line tool. Run xrandr in terminal to see connected displays and their current refresh rates.

Method C — Mobile Devices (Android & iPhone)

Testing refresh rates on phones and tablets requires slightly different approaches since mobile browsers sometimes fail to report peak rates accurately.

Quick Settings Checks

Android devices: Navigate to Settings → Display → Screen refresh rate. Many modern Android phones offer toggles between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz. Some manufacturers label this as "Smooth display" or "High refresh rate mode."

iPhone (ProMotion models): Go to Settings → Accessibility → Motion to see if adaptive refresh features are enabled. iPhones with 120Hz displays (iPhone 13 Pro and newer) automatically adjust between 10Hz and 120Hz based on content.

Third-Party Apps for Detailed Mobile Testing

For deeper diagnostics, consider apps like DevCheck (Android), Lumatic Pro (iOS), or CPU-Z (Android). These tools report hardware specifications including maximum supported refresh rates and current active mode.

You can also run a browser refresh rate test on mobile by visiting testing sites, though results may underreport due to mobile browser rendering optimizations. For the most accurate mobile refresh rate test results, combine browser tests with settings verification.

Method D — Advanced / Diagnostic Options

Professional reviewers and display enthusiasts use specialized tools to measure motion clarity beyond simple Hz readings.

Pursuit Camera Testing

High-speed cameras photographing moving test patterns can reveal motion blur, pixel response times, and overdrive artifacts that simple Hz measurements miss. Tools from Blur Busters and professional monitor utilities (like those from EIZO) enable frame-by-frame analysis.

Frame Timing Analysis

Advanced software can measure variance in frame delivery—consistent frame pacing is just as important as high refresh rates. Frame timing analyzers score displays based on judder, tearing, and temporal consistency.

How to Interpret Results & Common Reasons Your Hz Is Lower Than Expected

After running your tests, you might find your display isn't reaching its advertised refresh rate. Here are the most common culprits:

Cable limitations: HDMI 1.4 caps most resolutions at 60Hz; HDMI 2.0 reaches 120Hz at 1080p but may be limited at 4K. DisplayPort 1.2 or higher is recommended for gaming monitors with 144Hz or above.

GPU driver settings: Outdated graphics drivers often don't expose high refresh options. Update through Windows Update or directly from NVIDIA/AMD websites.

OS refresh rate not manually set: Windows and macOS don't always auto-select the highest available refresh rate—you must manually configure it in display settings.

Adaptive sync behavior: G-Sync, FreeSync, and ProMotion adjust refresh rates dynamically based on content. A screen Hz test during video playback might show 24Hz, while gaming shows 144Hz—this is normal VRR (variable refresh rate) operation.

Browser rendering limitations: Some browsers implement frame rate caps for power efficiency. Test in multiple browsers to rule out software throttling.

Step-by-Step Quick Guides (for All Platforms)

Windows: 4-Step Refresh Rate Check

1. Right-click anywhere on your desktop background
2. Select Display Settings from the context menu
3. Scroll down and click Advanced Display
4. Use the Choose a refresh rate dropdown to verify or change your Hz setting

macOS: 3-Step Process

1. Open System Settings
2. Click Displays in the sidebar
3. Check the Refresh Rate dropdown (if available for your display)

Android: Quick Display Menu Access

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Display
3. Select Screen refresh rate or "Smooth display" toggle

iPhone: Checking ProMotion Status

1. Go to Settings
2. Navigate to Accessibility → Motion
3. Verify that motion features are enabled (on 120Hz-capable models)

Browser Test: Using TestUFO

1. Visit the refresh rate testing tool
2. Ensure your browser window is maximized and in focus
3. Observe the motion test animations for 30+ seconds
4. Note the reported Hz value—compare with OS settings

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"My Monitor Is 144Hz but Shows 60Hz — Why?"

This is the most frequently reported issue. Check these factors in order:

• Cable type: Verify you're using DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+
• Driver version: Update GPU drivers through Device Manager or manufacturer software
• Windows display settings: Manually select 144Hz from the refresh rate dropdown
• Display mode: Some monitors require specific picture modes to enable high refresh rates

"Online Test Shows Fluctuating Hz"

If your browser refresh rate test displays varying numbers, your system likely has adaptive sync enabled. Technologies like G-Sync, FreeSync, or Apple ProMotion dynamically adjust refresh rates based on content demands. This behavior is intentional and indicates proper VRR functionality—your display matches its refresh rate to prevent screen tearing and stuttering.

"How Do I Force Highest Hz?"

To lock your display to its maximum refresh rate:

1. Set the highest available option in your OS display settings
2. Use DisplayPort cables for desktop monitors above 120Hz
3. Update GPU drivers to ensure all refresh options appear
4. Disable battery saver or eco modes that throttle performance
5. For laptops, connect to AC power—many devices limit refresh rates on battery

Quick Comparison Table

Security & Accessibility Notes

Browser-based refresh rate tests are completely safe—they don't access personal data or system files. However, some users with photosensitive conditions may experience discomfort from high-contrast motion patterns or temporal dithering effects at certain refresh rates. If you notice visual discomfort, eye strain, or headaches during testing, stop immediately and consult your display's manufacturer documentation for flicker-free modes or alternative testing approaches.

Conclusion

The fastest way to test refresh rate on any device combines two approaches: use an online refresh rate checker for immediate feedback, then verify the reading against your operating system's display settings for authoritative confirmation. Browser tests excel at convenience and work across platforms, while OS settings provide the definitive configuration your system is using.

Whether you're running a laptop refresh rate test, checking your gaming monitor Hz, or verifying your phone's smooth display mode, the methods in this guide ensure you're getting the visual performance your hardware promises. Remember: a proper cable, updated drivers, and manual settings verification prevent most common issues.

Ready to test your display? Visit Cluster Web Tools for instant browser-based testing, then apply the OS-specific steps for your platform. Within minutes, you'll know exactly how smoothly your screen is performing—and how to optimize it if needed.