Monitor Gaming Framerate Test: The Simple Way to Check Your Real FPS

Many gamers search for monitor gaming framerate test because they want to make sure their monitor actually runs at the refresh rate it advertises.
You don’t just want to hope you’re hitting 144 Hz or 240 Hz — you want proof.
This guide will walk you through testing your FPS and refresh rate, using real tools and trusted methods, so you can confirm your monitor’s performance.
You’ll learn how to test, interpret results, and fix common problems — all in simple terms.

What Is a Monitor Gaming Framerate Test?

A monitor gaming framerate test is a way to check how many frames per second (FPS) your monitor can display while gaming.
It essentially measures how “fast” your monitor is really running, not just what the specs say.
When you run this test, you can catch mismatches between your GPU output (FPS) and your monitor’s refresh rate (Hz), which can cause screen tearing or choppy gameplay.
By testing, you know whether your system is balanced and if your monitor is working at full potential.

Why Refresh Rate (Hz) and FPS Are Both Important

The refresh rate of your monitor (in Hz) is how many times per second the screen can update.
FPS (Frames Per Second) is how many frames your graphics card is producing per second. Reddit+1
If your GPU puts out more FPS than your monitor’s Hz, you might not actually see all those frames — they’ll be limited by your monitor’s refresh rate.
Matching FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate is ideal: for example, 144 FPS on a 144 Hz monitor gives you the smoothest motion.
If they don’t match, you can run into problems like screen tearing, stuttering, or even input lag.

How to Do a Monitor Gaming Framerate Test (Step-by-Step)

Here are reliable ways to test your monitor’s true framerate (FPS) and refresh rate (Hz):

1. Use an Online Refresh-Rate Test Tool

Open a browser and go to a tool like the one on fpstesting.com (or similar) that measures actual display refresh rate. fpstesting.com
Run the test for 10+ seconds so it can measure accurately.
The tool will show: average rate, minimum rate, maximum rate, frame time, and jitter (which tells you how stable the refresh is).
This helps you verify if your monitor is truly running at 60 Hz, 144 Hz, 240 Hz, or more. fpstests.com+1

2. Check Your Monitor’s Settings via Windows or GPU Software

On Windows, right-click the desktop → Display Settings → Advanced Display Settings → select your monitor → you should see the current refresh rate.
In NVIDIA Control Panel: Go to Display → Change Resolution → check the “Refresh rate” dropdown. Tom's Hardware
In AMD Radeon Settings: Go to Display → Refresh Rate. CORSAIR
On many monitors, you can also check your OSD menu (on-screen display) to find the current Hz. As one Redditor noted:

“many monitors will display the refresh rate in their OSD.”

3. Use Real In-Game FPS Counters

Use your game’s built-in FPS counter if it has one (many competitive games support this).
Or use GPU overlay tools:
- NVIDIA: GeForce Experience / ShadowPlay performance overlays.
- AMD: Radeon Software’s metrics overlay (FPS, GPU load, VRAM, etc.).

How to Confirm Your Monitor Is Actually Running at Its Rated Refresh Rate

Reddit users on r/buildapc strongly recommend verifying your monitor is truly operating at its advertised Hz:

“Check this site … It should default the framerate on the top bar to that of your monitor. Does it look significantly better than the one below it at half the framerate? … If it doesn’t … something is probably wrong.”
They suggest using TestUFO, a well-known visual tool, to spot difference between full refresh rate and lower rate.

Also, many users forget that Windows might still be using a default 60 Hz setting when they plug in a high-Hz monitor:

“they didn’t really notice a difference … because … their refresh rate was still set to 60 Hz in Windows.”
So it's crucial to manually set the refresh rate correctly in your OS settings.

Interesting Facts & Statistics About FPS and Refresh Rate

Online tools like fpstesting.com can detect very high refresh rates — up to 360 Hz. fpstests.com+1
According to Tom’s Hardware, many monitors sold as “high refresh rate” (like 144 Hz) are sometimes left on 60 Hz by default in Windows. Tom's Hardware
According to beebom.com, refreshing at a high rate (Hz) dramatically reduces motion blur and gives competitive gamers a real input-lag advantage. Beebom
On Reddit, users admitted they thought they were gaming at 144 FPS — but actually were capped at 60 Hz because of wrong Windows settings. Reddit

Common Mistakes People Make During Framerate Tests

Not setting the refresh rate in Windows — Many people forget to change their display settings from 60 Hz to a higher rate after buying a new monitor.
Using the wrong cable — Some HDMI or DisplayPort cables don’t support high refresh rates, limiting your monitor.
Overlooking jitter or frame time — Just seeing a number (like “144 Hz”) isn't enough; frame jitter or inconsistent frame time can cause stutters. Tools like the test on fpstesting.com show these. fpstesting.com
Ignoring in-game limits — Even if your monitor supports 144 Hz or more, your game's FPS limit could be lower, or V-Sync / frame caps may block it.

Quick FAQ

Q: How do I tell how many frames per second my monitor can display?
A: Use browser-based tools (like fpstesting.com’s refresh-rate test) to measure your monitor’s real Hz. Also check your Windows display settings under “Advanced Display” or use your GPU’s control panel to confirm the selected refresh rate. fpstesting.com

Q: Why is my monitor not showing 144 Hz even though it is rated for it?
A: Possible reasons include Windows not set to 144 Hz, using a cable that doesn’t support high Hz, or in-game FPS capped below your monitor’s max. Reddit users often run into this — one said their monitor “jump[s] all over the place … yet it is locked at 240 in non-game apps.” Reddit

Q: What’s the difference between FPS and refresh rate (Hz)?
A: FPS is how many frames your GPU creates per second. Refresh rate (Hz) is how many frames your monitor can show per second. If your FPS is higher than your monitor’s Hz, some frames won’t be displayed, which can cause tearing or wasted performance.

Final Thoughts

Testing your monitor’s framerate isn’t just for tech nerds — it’s something every gamer should do.
Using online tools like the one on fpstesting.com, combined with in-game counters and GPU overlays, gives you a full picture.
Double-check your Windows settings and monitor’s OSD so you truly run at the refresh rate you paid for.
When your FPS and refresh rate match, your games feel smoother, faster, and more responsive — and that’s where the real joy of gaming lives.