What’s the average reaction time?
The average visual reaction time for adults is approximately 250 milliseconds. However,
this varies based on age, alertness, and other factors. Young adults in optimal conditions
typically score between 200-230ms. Professional gamers and athletes often achieve times
under 180ms through practice and optimal setups.
Is this test accurate on mobile devices?
Mobile devices generally have higher touch latency than desktop setups with gaming mice.
You can expect your mobile scores to be 20-50ms slower than on a proper desktop setup. The
test is still useful for tracking your personal progress on mobile, but don’t directly
compare mobile and desktop results.
Why did I get a “Too soon!” message?
You clicked or pressed a key before the green “GO” signal appeared. That counts as a false
start. The test uses random delays to prevent anticipation. React to the actual stimulus
rather than guessing when it will appear. Take a breath and wait for the green screen.
Does monitor refresh rate affect my score?
Yes. A 60Hz monitor only updates 60 times per second, adding up to 16.7ms of latency
before you even see the stimulus. A 144Hz monitor reduces this to ~7ms, and 240Hz to ~4ms.
For the most accurate results, use the highest refresh rate monitor available to you.
Is keyboard or mouse input faster?
In general, the difference is minimal and depends on your personal preference and
hardware. Some studies suggest keyboard can be marginally faster due to shorter key
travel, but a quality gaming mouse with a high polling rate can match or beat keyboard
input. Use whichever feels more natural to you.
How can I test my reaction time consistently?
For consistent results: test at the same time of day, use the same device and setup,
ensure you’re well-rested, do a few warm-up rounds first, and use the same delay settings.
Run multiple rounds (5-10) and focus on your average rather than single attempts.
Environmental factors like lighting and noise should also be consistent.
Can I improve my reaction time with practice?
Yes, to a degree. While your baseline reaction time is partly genetic, regular practice
can improve your scores by 10-20%. Check out our
guide to improving reaction time
for proven techniques. You can also train game-specific reactions that combine prediction,
pattern recognition, and motor skills, which is often more valuable than raw reaction
speed.
How is my data stored?
Your browser stores all your data (personal best, session history, achieved ranks, and
settings) locally using localStorage. Nothing reaches any server, so your results stay
private on your device. This also means your data won’t sync across different browsers or
devices.
How do I reset my progress?
Click the Reset button in the toolbar above the test area. This will open a confirmation
dialog. Confirming will clear your personal best, session history, trend graph data, and
achieved ranks. Your settings (test count, delay range, input method, sound) will be
preserved.
What’s the difference between mouse and spacebar input?
You can choose your preferred input method in the settings. Mouse click mode requires
clicking inside the test area, while spacebar mode lets you react by pressing the
spacebar. Spacebar can be slightly faster for some users since there’s no mouse movement
involved. The test instructions will adapt to show which input to use.
What do the different delay ranges mean?
The delay range determines how long you wait before the green signal appears. Shorter
ranges (1-3s) keep you more alert but are more predictable. Longer ranges (3-8s) test your
sustained focus and prevent timing-based anticipation. Choose based on whether you want
quick practice or a more challenging test of concentration.