60Hz vs 120Hz vs 144Hz vs 240Hz: What Really Matters?
Break down frame times, input latency, motion clarity, and the law of diminishing returns in display refresh rates.
1. The Frame Time Math
When evaluating refresh rates, focus on frame time (the milliseconds between successive screen updates) rather than the raw Hertz number:
• 60Hz = 16.67 ms per frame
• 120Hz = 8.33 ms per frame (Δ 8.34 ms improvement over 60Hz)
• 144Hz = 6.94 ms per frame (Δ 1.39 ms improvement over 120Hz)
• 240Hz = 4.17 ms per frame (Δ 2.77 ms improvement over 144Hz)
• 360Hz = 2.78 ms per frame (Δ 1.39 ms improvement over 240Hz)
2. Motion Clarity & Eye Tracking
On modern sample-and-hold displays, moving objects remain illuminated continuously until the next frame arrives. As your eyes smoothly track a moving target across the screen, the static frame is held on your retina, causing perceived motion blur.
Doubling the refresh rate halves the hold duration, resulting in directly proportional reductions in persistence blur.
Recommended Interactive Tests
Run these dedicated fullscreen tools to test your display against this guide's criteria:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the human eye see more than 60Hz?
Yes, absolutely. The human visual system does not process the world in discrete frames. Research consistently demonstrates that humans can perceive visual stimuli and latency differences well beyond 500Hz.
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