Mouse Polling Rate Test
Measure your mouse's report rate in Hz — just move it around the pad below.
Move your mouse around in here
Keep moving — the reading needs continuous motion
The estimated rate is the number to trust — it's the steady median across your whole movement, so it's far more reliable than the moment-to-moment reading.
A polling rate test measures how often your mouse reports its position to your computer, in hertz (Hz). It times the gaps between movement reports as you move the mouse and estimates your rate — 125, 500, 1000 Hz or higher. Everything runs in the browser.
What polling rate means
At 1000Hz your mouse tells your PC where it is every millisecond; at 125Hz, every 8ms. A higher rate reduces the tiny delay between moving your hand and the cursor updating, which feels crisper — especially paired with a high-refresh monitor. Check yours with the refresh rate test.
Reading the result
The estimate reflects the fastest sustained reporting it sees, so keep the mouse moving continuously for a couple of seconds. Report gaps only get bigger when you move slowly, never smaller than the real polling interval — so the tool takes the shortest consistent gaps as your true rate. Treat it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my mouse polling rate?
Move your mouse around continuously inside the test pad. The tool times the gap between the movement reports your mouse sends and converts it to a rate in Hz. Keep moving for a few seconds — the estimate settles on the fastest sustained rate it sees.
What is mouse polling rate?
Polling rate (measured in Hz) is how many times per second your mouse reports its position to your PC. 125Hz means every 8ms, 500Hz every 2ms, and 1000Hz every 1ms. Higher rates make cursor movement feel slightly smoother and more responsive, which is why gaming mice offer 1000Hz and some now 4000 or 8000Hz.
Why is my measured polling rate lower than expected?
A few reasons: the reading only reflects how fast you're actually moving the mouse, your browser may cap event delivery to the screen's refresh rate, and very high rates (4000–8000Hz) need a browser that exposes coalesced pointer events. Move the mouse quickly and continuously for the best reading, and treat it as an estimate.
Is a higher polling rate better for gaming?
Going from 125Hz to 500 or 1000Hz is a genuine, noticeable improvement in responsiveness. Beyond 1000Hz the gains are small and mostly matter to competitive players on high-refresh monitors — and higher rates use slightly more CPU. 1000Hz is the sweet spot for most people.
How do I change my mouse polling rate?
Most gaming mice let you set it in their software (Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, etc.), and some have an on-board button or switch. Basic office mice are usually fixed at 125Hz. Set it to 1000Hz for gaming if your mouse supports it.