Quick answer
Most people average 200-280 ms; under 200 ms is very fast. Wait for the green screen, then click as fast as you can.
How to use the Reaction Time Test
- Click the dark box to start. It turns red: get ready, but don't click yet.
- After a random delay, the box turns green. Click (or press Space) as fast as you can.
- Your reaction time appears in milliseconds. Click again for the next attempt.
- After 5 attempts you'll see your average. Clicking too early doesn't count, so wait for green.
Example
Your five attempts are 241, 228, 265, 219 and 237 ms, for an average of 238 ms. That's a typical result. Try the test on a wired mouse and a high refresh rate monitor and you may gain 10-30 ms just from faster hardware, without your reflexes changing at all.
How it works
When the box turns green, the test records the exact time using your browser's high-precision timer. When you click, it measures the difference. The delay before green is random (1.5-4.5 seconds), so you can't predict it.
Your result includes more than pure reflexes:
- Your monitor needs time to show the green color (up to one frame: about 17 ms at 60 Hz, 7 ms at 144 Hz).
- Your mouse or keyboard adds a few milliseconds, especially wireless or Bluetooth models.
- Your brain and muscles: seeing the change, deciding and moving your finger, usually 150-250 ms.
| Average | Rating |
|---|---|
| Under 170 ms | Exceptional |
| 170-210 ms | Very fast |
| 210-260 ms | Average to good |
| 260-320 ms | Slower than average |
| Over 320 ms | Slow. Check for tiredness or a laggy device |
Get your best (and fairest) score
- Use a wired mouse or the Space bar: some wireless and Bluetooth devices add 5-20 ms of delay.
- High refresh rate helps: on a 144 Hz monitor the green color appears up to 10 ms sooner than on a 60 Hz screen.
- Rest your finger on the button: lifting your hand before clicking costs time.
- Compare like with like: phones and touch screens are typically 30-80 ms slower than a mouse, so compare scores on the same device.
- Time of day matters: most people react fastest in the late morning and early afternoon, and slowest when tired.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good reaction time?
The average visual reaction time on online tests is about 250 ms. Under 200 ms is very good, and some gamers and athletes regularly score 150-180 ms.
Can I improve my reaction time?
Yes, to a degree. Good sleep, staying alert, warming up and regular practice help. Hardware also matters: a wired mouse and a high refresh rate monitor reduce delay.
Why do I get different results each time?
Attention, anticipation and small timing variations change each attempt. That's why the test averages 5 attempts.
Is it better to use the keyboard or the mouse?
Both work. Use whichever you're fastest with, and keep it consistent when comparing results.
Does age affect reaction time?
Reaction times are typically fastest in the late teens and twenties and slowly increase with age, though practice and fitness make a noticeable difference.