Mouse Polling Rate Test

Move your mouse in quick circles inside the box. The test counts how many position reports your mouse sends each second and shows the current, average and peak rate in Hz.

Current: — Hz
Average: — Hz
Max: — Hz
Detected: —

Move your mouse in fast circles hereThe test starts as soon as the pointer moves. Keep moving for a few seconds.

This test needs a mouse. Touch screens are not measured.

Polling rate, last 6 secondsHz

Browsers and operating systems can limit how often mouse updates reach a web page, and timestamps are rounded for privacy. Readings above 1000 Hz may be under-reported, so treat high results as approximate and check your mouse software for the configured rate.

What is mouse polling rate?

Polling rate is how often your mouse reports its movement to the computer, measured in hertz (Hz). At 125 Hz the mouse sends an update every 8 milliseconds; at 1000 Hz, every 1 millisecond. More frequent reports mean the cursor and your in-game view follow your hand with less delay and smoother motion.

Polling rate is not the same as DPI. DPI controls how far the cursor moves for each inch of hand movement, while polling rate controls how often that movement is reported.

125 Hz vs 1000 Hz vs 8000 Hz

125 Hz (8 ms) — the classic USB default for office mice. Fine for everyday work, but you can often see the cursor step on a high refresh rate monitor.
500 Hz (2 ms) — a middle ground that some players use to reduce CPU load or wireless battery drain.
1000 Hz (1 ms) — the standard for gaming mice for many years. Smooth and responsive, and supported well by games.
2000–8000 Hz (0.5–0.125 ms) — offered by newer high-end mice. Motion can look smoother on very fast monitors, but the benefit is small and the extra load on the CPU is real.

CPU cost of high polling rates

Every report is an interrupt the computer has to handle, and the game has to process the extra input. At 4000 or 8000 Hz this can raise CPU use noticeably, and some games or older PCs respond with stutter or frame drops. If you see that, step down to 2000 or 1000 Hz and compare.

How to change your polling rate

Open the software from your mouse maker (the app that also sets DPI and lighting).
Find the setting called polling rate or report rate, usually under performance settings.
Pick the rate, apply it, and run this test again to check the change.

Some mice have a button on the underside that cycles through rates instead. Wireless mice may only reach their highest rate with the included USB receiver, not over Bluetooth.

Why the measured value moves around

A mouse only reports when there is movement, so slowing down or changing direction leaves small gaps. The browser also groups events per frame and rounds timestamps for privacy, and the system may be busy with other work. That is why the live number swings a little and why the detected class snaps to the nearest standard rate. Fast, smooth circles give the most stable reading.

Once your polling rate is right, check that every button works with the mouse test or set up your aim with the sensitivity converter.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my 1000 Hz mouse show 900 or 950 Hz?

Small dips are normal. The mouse only sends a report when it has movement to report, so slow or uneven motion, very short pauses and the way the browser groups events all pull the number down a little. Look at the max value and the detected class rather than the live number.

My mouse is set to 4000 or 8000 Hz but the test shows less. Is it broken?

Not necessarily. Some browsers and operating systems cap how many mouse updates reach a web page, and timestamps are rounded for privacy, which blurs very short intervals. High rates are often under-reported in a browser. Check the setting in your mouse software and, for an exact reading, use the tool from the mouse maker.

Why does the result match my monitor refresh rate?

If your browser does not support raw pointer updates or coalesced events, it only sends one mouse position per screen refresh, so the test sees 60, 144 or 240 updates per second. The note under the test shows which method your browser uses. A recent Chrome or Edge gives the most accurate result.

Does a wireless mouse have a lower polling rate?

Many gaming wireless mice with a USB receiver run at 1000 Hz or higher, the same as wired ones. Bluetooth connections are usually much slower, often around 125 Hz or less, so use the USB receiver when you play.

Is a higher polling rate always better?

Not always. Going from 125 Hz to 1000 Hz is a clear improvement in smoothness and delay. Above that the gains are small and harder to notice, while CPU use rises and some older games can stutter. 1000 Hz is a sensible default for most players.

Does this test send my mouse data anywhere?

No. Everything is measured and calculated in your browser. Nothing about your mouse movement is uploaded or stored.

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