How the reaction time test works
The panel turns red, then green after a random delay between 2 and 5 seconds. As soon as it turns green, click, tap or press any key. The test runs five valid tries, then shows your average, your best time, your consistency and where you sit compared to typical results.
To keep the measure honest:
- Timing uses
performance.now(), the browser’s high-resolution clock, and the time stamp of the input event itself. - The test listens to the press, not the click. A click fires when you release the button, which adds 50 to 100 ms.
- The green time is taken when the frame is drawn, not when the code asks for it.
- The random delay stops you from finding a rhythm.
- False starts don’t count. A press before green, or within 100 ms of it, is a guess. The try is ignored and repeated.
How fast is fast?
The scale below applies to this test with a mouse or touch screen. It is an order of magnitude, not a medical norm.
| Average | Rating |
|---|---|
| under 200 ms | Exceptional reflexes |
| 200 to 240 ms | Fast |
| 240 to 300 ms | Typical |
| 300 to 360 ms | A bit slow |
| over 360 ms | Slow, often tired or distracted |
Lab studies of simple visual reaction time usually land between 180 and 250 ms. Large online tests report averages around 250 to 280 ms, because they include the device delay. Reacting to a sound is faster, often 30 to 50 ms quicker than to light.
Where the milliseconds go
Your time is your reaction plus the delay of your setup:
| Part of the chain | Typical delay |
|---|---|
| Waiting for the next screen refresh | half a frame on average: 8 ms at 60 Hz, 3.5 ms at 144 Hz |
| Panel response and processing | 1 to 15 ms, more on a TV outside game mode |
| Mouse or touch screen | 1 to 8 ms for a USB mouse, often more for touch and Bluetooth |
| Browser and system | a few ms |
All together, a normal setup adds roughly 20 to 60 ms. The test estimates your screen’s refresh rate and shows how much the display alone adds. To compare with a friend, use the same device.
Get a better score
- Warm up. Do one series to get used to it, then count the next ones.
- Rest your finger on the button or key. Moving the hand costs time.
- Look at the centre of the panel, not at the edge.
- Use a wired mouse and a high refresh rate screen, with the TV in game mode.
- Watch your consistency. A spread of ±20 ms is steady. A large spread means attention drops between tries.
For a test that adds tension and a sequence to anticipate, try the F1 reaction test next.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good reaction time?
On a test like this one, with a mouse and a 60 Hz screen, most people score between 200 and 300 ms, around 250 ms. Under 200 ms is excellent. Treat these numbers as an order of magnitude, since your device adds its own delay.
Why is my time slower than on other sites?
Every site measures a slightly different chain. Some react on mouse release instead of press, some ignore the time the screen takes to show green. Your mouse, screen and browser also change the result by tens of milliseconds. Compare yourself on the same device and the same site.
How can I improve my reaction time?
Sleep, warm-up and focus matter most. Over a session, your first tries are usually slower. Hardware helps a little too, a wired mouse and a high refresh rate screen can cut 10 to 20 ms of device delay. Training mostly makes you more consistent.
What is a false start?
Clicking before the screen turns green, or less than 100 ms after it. No human reacts to a visual signal that fast, so the try was a guess. It does not count and you retry.
Does age affect reaction time?
Yes. Simple reaction time is usually fastest in your twenties and slows gradually with age. The change is modest for simple tests like this one and larger for complex choices. Fatigue, alcohol and some medicines also slow it down.
Updated October 26, 2026