Reaction Time Test
Click as soon as the box turns green. Five rounds, scored on your average.
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How the reaction time test works
Each round starts with a red box. After a random delay of between 1.5 and 4.5 seconds it turns green, and the timer starts on the frame that paints green. The timer stops the instant your click or tap is registered. Because the delay is random you can't predict it; if you click while the box is still red, the round doesn't count and you simply retry it.
After five valid rounds you get your average, median, fastest and slowest rounds, how consistent you were and a rating. Five rounds smooth out the occasional slow start, so the average is a much better measure of your real speed than any single click.
Guesses don't count. Nobody can truly react in under 100 milliseconds; a click that fast means you anticipated the change. Many tests count those lucky guesses and inflate your score. This one redoes the round instead, so your result reflects real reactions.
Three kinds of reaction test
- Visual: the classic test. Click the moment the box turns green.
- Sound: the box never changes; click when you hear a beep. Most people react to sound a little faster than to light. Use speakers or wired headphones, because Bluetooth adds 100 ms or more of delay.
- Go / No-go: the box turns green (click) or purple (hold back). Having to decide makes everyone slower, and it also tests self-control: your result shows how many purple signals you resisted. Sports and esports coaches use this kind of drill.
Each type keeps its own personal best and progress chart.
What is a good reaction time?
For a simple visual signal like this one, most people land somewhere between 200 and 300 milliseconds in a browser test. That number includes the time your equipment adds, which is why results vary between setups. These are the bands we use for the rating on your visual result (the Sound test's bands are 20 ms faster and Go / No-go's 60 ms slower, since those tests naturally run quicker and slower):
| Average | Rating |
|---|---|
| 180 ms or less | Elite |
| 181–220 ms | Excellent |
| 221–260 ms | Above average |
| 261–310 ms | Average |
| 311–380 ms | Below average |
| Over 380 ms | Keep practising |
An average of 180 ms or less is rare and usually takes a fast screen, a fast mouse and practice. Single clicks under 100 ms are lucky anticipations rather than true reactions, so the test redoes those rounds.
Why your setup changes your score
Your result is the sum of your own reaction plus every delay between your hand and the screen:
- Display refresh rate. A 60 Hz screen shows a new image every 16.7 ms, a 144 Hz screen every 6.9 ms and a 240 Hz screen every 4.2 ms. The green frame can only appear on the next refresh, so a faster monitor shows it sooner. Check yours with the refresh rate test.
- Input device. Gaming mice report their position and clicks up to 1,000 times a second or more; some wireless mice and most trackpads are slower. Touchscreens add their own processing delay, so phone scores are usually higher than desktop scores.
- Display processing. TVs in their default picture mode can add a lot of lag. If you test on a TV, switch it to Game Mode.
- Browser and computer load. A busy computer can delay events slightly. Close heavy background programs for the most consistent results.
The fairest comparison is always against yourself on the same device. If you want to compare with friends, compare on similar setups.
How to improve your reaction time
- Warm up. Your first few rounds of any session are usually your slowest. Do a couple of practice runs before the one that counts.
- Watch the centre of the box, not the edges, and keep your finger resting lightly on the button so the click is a small, ready movement.
- Don't guess. Anticipating the change leads to early clicks. Stay relaxed and react to the colour.
- Be rested. Tiredness reliably slows reactions. You will usually score better earlier in the day or after a break than at the end of a long gaming session.
- Practise regularly. Short daily sessions help you get more consistent, and consistency is what lowers your average.
- Upgrade the weakest link. If you play competitive shooters, a high-refresh monitor and a wired or low-latency wireless mouse cut real milliseconds from every reaction in game, not just in this test.
Challenge your friends
When you finish, use Share result or Save image to post a card with your score, or Copy challenge link to send a link with your score built in. When a friend opens it, they'll see the time they need to beat, and their result will tell them whether they did.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average human reaction time?
For a simple "see it, click it" task, typical human reaction times are roughly a quarter of a second. Browser tests usually show 200–300 ms because they also include your mouse, computer and screen.
Is reaction time faster to sound or to light?
Usually to sound: in lab studies people react to a simple sound a few tens of milliseconds faster than to a light. Try the Sound and Visual tests and compare; your speakers or headphones and your screen both add their own delay.
Why did my round say "too fast to be real"?
Under 100 ms is quicker than the brain can see or hear a signal and move a finger, so a click that fast was a guess. The round is redone so guesses can't inflate your score.
Why are my scores slower on my phone?
Touchscreens take time to detect and process a tap, and many phones run at 60 Hz. Tapping is also a bigger movement than a mouse click. Compare phone scores with phone scores.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes. Click the box once so it's focused, then press Space or Enter for each round.
Does reaction time get worse with age?
Simple reaction time tends to slow gradually as people get older, but practice, rest and focus make a noticeable difference at any age.
Where is my personal best stored?
In your browser's local storage on this device only. It is never uploaded. Clearing your browser's site data resets it.