Mouse Polling Rate Test
Check how many times per second your mouse reports its position, and if the rate is stable. Runs entirely in your browser.
This test needs a mouse. Touch screens and pens do not have a polling rate.
2 × 5 seconds
Place your cursor here and press Start
- Rate
- –
- Stability
- –
- Drops
- –
- Timer step
- –
Result
| Part | Time moving | Reports | Rate | Nearest standard | Stability | Drops |
|---|
What polling rate means
The polling rate is how many times per second your mouse reports its position to the computer. It is measured in hertz (Hz). At 1000 Hz the mouse sends a report every 1 ms. At 125 Hz it sends one every 8 ms.
A higher rate gives the computer newer information about where the mouse is. The pointer moves more smoothly, and each movement reaches the game or app a little sooner. On average, the delay from the polling rate is half the time between reports: about 4 ms at 125 Hz and 0.5 ms at 1000 Hz.
Common rates are 125, 250, 500 and 1000 Hz. Some gaming mice also offer 2000, 4000 or 8000 Hz. The test shows the standard rate nearest to what it measured, because a small difference (for example 985 Hz) comes from the timing of the browser and is not a setting of the mouse.
How to test your polling rate
- Keep the guided test selected and press Start.
- Put the cursor in the box. When the countdown ends, move the mouse in fast circles until the part ends.
- Do it again for the second part. The whole test takes about 15 seconds.
- Read the result. Use "Copy results" to paste the numbers into a forum post or a support request.
Move fast and do not stop. A mouse only sends a report when it moves, so slow or paused movement gives fewer reports and a lower number. Free mode shows a live number with no time limit, which is useful while you change the setting in the mouse software.
The test reads every report the browser gets from the mouse, not only one per screen frame. That is why it can show 1000 Hz on a 60 Hz or 144 Hz screen. If your browser only gives one event per frame, the test says so instead of showing a wrong number.
Why your polling rate is lower than expected
Work down this list. Run the test again after each step, so you know which one helped.
The rate is set lower in the mouse
- Open the software from the maker of your mouse and look for "polling rate" or "report rate". Set it to the rate you want, then save it to the mouse if the software asks.
- Some mice have a small button or switch under the mouse that changes the rate. Check the manual. A light often shows the current setting.
- Many office mice work at 125 Hz and cannot go higher. This is normal and it is not a fault.
The USB port or hub
- Connect the mouse or its receiver directly to the computer, not through a USB hub, a dock or a keyboard port.
- On a desktop PC, use a port on the back, which is on the motherboard. Front-panel ports go through a cable and can cause drops.
- For 4000 and 8000 Hz mice, follow the maker's advice about which port to use.
Wireless mice
- Put the receiver close to the mouse. A USB extension cable on the desk helps.
- Keep the receiver away from Wi-Fi routers, USB 3 devices and other 2.4 GHz receivers.
- Charge the mouse or replace the battery. Some mice lower the rate when the battery is low.
- Turn off power-saving or "battery saver" modes in the mouse software.
- If the mouse can also connect with Bluetooth, use the USB receiver instead. Bluetooth mice usually report at about 125 Hz or less.
The browser or the computer
- Close other tabs and heavy apps, and test again. A busy computer can deliver reports late or in groups.
- Use Chrome or Edge for the most exact result. If the test says your browser limits the measurement, the mouse is fine: the browser hides the real rate.
- On a laptop, plug in the charger. Power-saving modes can slow down USB and the browser.
The way you move the mouse
Move the mouse in fast, continuous circles. At slow speed, and especially with a low DPI setting, the mouse has no movement to report in every interval, so it sends fewer reports. This lowers the number but it is not a fault.
Does a higher polling rate matter?
- 125 Hz is enough for office work and browsing. On a fast screen you may see the pointer move in small steps.
- 1000 Hz is the usual choice for games. The pointer is smooth, and the delay from polling is under 1 ms. For most people and most screens, a higher rate gives little extra.
- 4000 to 8000 Hz can help a little on very fast screens (240 Hz and higher). They also use more CPU time, and some games and older computers stutter at these rates. If you see stutter, go back to 1000 or 2000 Hz.
- Wireless mice use more battery at higher rates. If battery life matters more than a fraction of a millisecond, use 1000 Hz or lower.
Frequently asked questions
About the test
How do I check my mouse polling rate?
Press Start in the guided test and move the mouse in fast circles inside the box for two parts of 5 seconds. The result shows the nearest standard rate, such as 1000 Hz, and whether the rate stays stable.
Why does the test say my browser limits the measurement?
Your browser gives the page only one mouse event per screen frame, so the number equals your screen refresh rate and not the mouse rate. Your mouse is not at fault. Run the test in Chrome or Edge.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.
Which browsers work best?
Chrome and Edge give the most exact results. Some browsers, often Firefox and Safari, round event times to 1 ms. The test then shows the result as a lower limit.
Polling rate basics
Is 1000 Hz polling rate good?
Yes. 1000 Hz means one report every millisecond. It is the usual rate for gaming mice and it is enough for most people. For office work, 125 Hz is also fine.
How do I change my mouse polling rate?
Open the software from the maker of your mouse and look for "polling rate" or "report rate". Some mice have a button under the mouse instead. Many office mice have a fixed rate of 125 Hz.
Does the polling rate affect wireless battery life?
Yes. At a higher rate the mouse sends more reports and uses more power. If battery life matters more to you, use 1000 Hz or lower.
Problems and fixes
Why does the test show 125 Hz?
Your mouse is set to 125 Hz, or it only supports 125 Hz. This is normal for office mice and for most mice connected with Bluetooth. If your mouse supports more, change the rate in the mouse software or with the button under the mouse.
Why does my 8000 Hz mouse show less?
Browsers cannot measure rates this high exactly, so the test shows the result as a lower limit. Also check that 8000 Hz is on in the mouse software, that the receiver is in a port directly on the computer, and that the computer is not busy.
Also test: Scroll wheel test · Double click test