What refresh rate means
A screen does not show one continuous image. It redraws the picture many times every second, much like a flipbook. The number of times per second is the refresh rate, measured in hertz, shortened to Hz. A display set to 60 Hz redraws the picture 60 times each second, and one set to 120 Hz redraws it 120 times. Because 120 is double 60, a 120 Hz screen has twice as many chances to update, so the gap between updates is half as long.
A higher number can make motion look smoother, because the picture changes in smaller steps. It is a property of the display, and it is separate from how many pictures your computer actually produces.
Refresh rate versus frame rate
These two are easy to confuse. Refresh rate belongs to the screen. Frame rate is how many new images the computer creates each second, for example in a game or video. The screen can only show what it is given. If a program produces 30 new images per second on a 120 Hz screen, you still see 30 distinct images per second, even though the screen redraws more often. The reverse also holds: a computer that could make many frames each second cannot show more distinct images than the display can refresh. Our article on frame rate and stutter covers the computer side in more detail.
Who notices the difference
The difference is real but its importance varies.
- General office work and browsing. Many people see little difference between common rates. Some notice that scrolling and moving the mouse pointer feel a little smoother at higher settings.
- Video. Films and most video are recorded at fixed rates well below typical monitor rates. A higher refresh rate does not improve the footage itself. A display just needs a rate that fits the video cleanly.
- Games. Fast action, especially in games that need quick reactions, is where a higher setting is most commonly appreciated, but only if the computer can produce enough frames to use it. Our article on gaming computers explains what the rest of the machine needs to do.
- Personal sensitivity. People differ. Some notice flicker or choppiness readily, while others hardly do.
Common terms you may see
Some spec sheets mention variable refresh rate technologies. These let the display adjust its rate to match the frames the computer is sending, which can reduce visible tearing, where parts of two frames appear at once. They need support from both the monitor and the graphics hardware, and they are often switched on in a menu or driver setting. Compatibility differs between products, so check the descriptions from the makers.
How to check your current setting
Menu names change between systems and versions, so use the general approach.
- Open your computer’s display settings, usually through the system settings or by right-clicking on the desktop.
- Find the advanced display options for the monitor you want to check.
- Look for a refresh rate choice, often listed as a number in Hz.
- Pick the highest value your monitor says it supports, then confirm the change when prompted.
If you have more than one screen, make sure you are viewing the settings for the right one. Our guide to setting up multiple monitors covers selecting the display you want to change.
Some monitors also show their input signal in their on-screen menu, which gives a second confirmation of what the screen is receiving.
Why a monitor may not offer the rate you expect
If the higher option does not appear, the usual causes are simple.
- The cable or port. Different connections support different maximum rates at different resolutions. An older cable or port may cap you at a lower setting. See display cables for how to match the cable to both ends.
- The resolution. A very high resolution can limit the available rates on a given connection. Lowering the resolution slightly may expose higher rates, but at the cost of sharpness, so it is a trade-off.
- The graphics driver. Outdated or generic drivers sometimes offer fewer choices. Our article on device drivers explains how to update them carefully.
- The monitor’s menu. A few monitors have a setting that must be enabled before the full rate becomes available.
- Laptop power modes. Laptops sometimes lower the rate on battery power to save energy. This is deliberate, and it is related to battery drain.
Work through these one at a time, changing one thing and testing before moving on.
Choosing a rate sensibly
For everyday use, the standard setting that your monitor suggests is usually fine. If your monitor supports higher options, trying one costs nothing: select it, use the computer normally for a while and see if you can tell the difference. If you cannot, leaving it on a lower setting can use slightly less power, and it avoids problems in the rare cases where a higher setting causes flicker or compatibility issues.
If the picture goes black or garbled after a change, do not panic. Most systems revert after a few seconds if you do not confirm. If it does not, wait, then restart in safe mode and select a lower setting. If flicker continues at standard rates, see the checks for dead pixels and screen flicker.