QuickDeviceTest Device test / Polling rate test
Mouse polling rate test
Move your mouse quickly in circles over the pad. We count the position reports the browser receives and show the rate in hertz, the peak and the nearest standard setting.
Getting an accurate reading
- Use Chrome or Edge for full-resolution readings.
- Move in fast, continuous circles for a few seconds; a still mouse sends nothing.
- Read the peak: the average dips whenever you slow down.
Standard rates
| Rate | Interval | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 8 ms | Office mice, USB default |
| 500 Hz | 2 ms | Older gaming mice |
| 1000 Hz | 1 ms | Most gaming mice today |
| 4000–8000 Hz | 0.25–0.125 ms | High-end esports mice |
What polling rate actually changes
Polling rate is how often the mouse reports its position to the computer. Each dot below is one report during the same 50 ms flick.
At 1000 Hz a new report arrives every 1 ms, so the worst-case wait before your movement is seen is that long. On a 144 Hz monitor that is about 6.9 reports per frame. Going from 125 to 1000 Hz removes up to 7 ms of delay; going from 1000 to 8000 Hz removes under 1 ms and costs more CPU.
Questions
What is mouse polling rate?
How many times per second the mouse sends its position and button state to the computer, measured in hertz. 125 Hz means a report every 8 ms; 1000 Hz, every 1 ms.
How accurate is a browser polling rate test?
In Chrome and Edge, which expose every raw movement through coalesced pointer events, it is close to what the mouse sends; small dips are normal. Browsers without that API cap the reading near the display refresh rate, and we warn you when that happens.
Why is my 1000 Hz mouse showing 500 Hz?
Move faster and in continuous circles: mice only send reports when something changes. Also check the setting in the mouse software, plug the receiver directly into the computer (not a hub), and make sure a power-saving mode is not throttling wireless mice.
Is a higher polling rate better?
Up to 1000 Hz the benefit is measurable for games: less delay and smoother motion on high-refresh monitors. Beyond that the gain is under a millisecond and costs more CPU time; some games stutter at 4000–8000 Hz.