Refresh rate (Hz): 60 vs 144 vs 240 vs 360, what you can see and what FPS you need
Refresh rate is how many times per second a monitor redraws the image, in hertz: 60 Hz shows at most 60 distinct frames per second, 144 Hz up to 144. A higher refresh rate reduces motion blur and input lag and makes motion look smoother — but only if the GPU delivers a matching FPS, which is what the FPSHQ calculator estimates for your hardware.
Hz · hertz · 144Hz · 240Hz · high refresh
Key figures
From the FPSHQ database, as of Oct 15, 2026
What changes with Hz
Motion clarity improves because each frame is held for less time (less sample-and-hold blur) and because tracking a moving object across more intermediate positions is easier. The step from 60 to 144 is the big one; 144 to 240 is noticeable to competitive players; beyond that returns are small.
| Refresh | Frame interval | Perceived benefit | Typical panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Hz | 16.7 ms | baseline | office, TV |
| 120–144 Hz | 6.9–8.3 ms | large: smoother motion, −8 ms latency | mainstream gaming |
| 240 Hz | 4.2 ms | clear gain for shooters | esports IPS/OLED |
| 360–500 Hz | 2–2.8 ms | small, for pros | esports TN/OLED |
FPS and refresh rate together
FPS above the refresh rate still lowers latency but cannot be displayed; FPS below it causes judder or tearing unless VRR is used. The ideal is FPS slightly under the refresh with VRR and a cap, or far above it with V-Sync off for competitive play. The FPSHQ monitor picker suggests a refresh rate from the predicted FPS of your GPU + CPU in your games — there is little point in a 240 Hz panel for a system averaging 90 FPS, while a 144 Hz 1440p monitor suits most mid-range builds.
High refresh rates need bandwidth: 1440p 240 Hz or 4K 144 Hz require DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1; see HDMI vs DisplayPort.
Checklist
Overclocked panels (e.g. 165 Hz "OC" modes) sometimes skip frames; test with a frame-skipping pattern after enabling.
Monitor refresh rate ↔ FPS
Compare FPS and Hz: when tearing appears and what V-Sync and VRR do.
Unified FPSHQ model estimate, not a measurement.
On your PC
Enter your GPU (and CPU) — we calculate the effect of "Refresh rate" with the unified FPSHQ model using Cyberpunk 2077 as the example.
Save your PC in the account · Detect hardware with the app · Unified FPSHQ model estimate, not a measurement.
Where to use this on FPSHQ
Forum discussions
What is Refresh rate?
Refresh rate is how many times per second a monitor redraws the image, in hertz: 60 Hz shows at most 60 distinct frames per second, 144 Hz up to 144. A higher refresh rate reduces motion blur and input lag and makes motion look smoother — but only if the GPU delivers a matching FPS, which is what the FPSHQ calculator estimates for your hardware.
- independent FPS measurements
- 106
- rows of aggregated review data
- 4,800
- GPU + game pairs with measurements or aggregated data
- 967
- 1% low vs average (measured)
- 78%
FAQ
Is 144 Hz worth it over 60 Hz?
Do I need 144 FPS for a 144 Hz monitor?
Is 240 Hz noticeable over 144?
Why is my monitor stuck at 60 Hz?
Sources
- Blur Busters: refresh rate and motion blur research (2025)
- NVIDIA: FPS and competitive performance (2019)
FPSHQ Team · methodology · methodology · Updated
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