Mouse Polling Rate Checker
Quickly check your mouse’s polling rate
Mouse Polling Rate Checker
Maximum Rate
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Average Rate
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Tutorial
Testing your mouse’s polling rate is super simple! You don’t need to install any software on your computer, everything is done on your web browser.
Step 1. Click the green “Start” button on the left
Step 2. Move your mouse around in circles to measure your mouse’s polling rate
Step 3. After just a few moments, our website will show average and maximum polling rates along with a live chart for your mouse.
If you want to reset the readings or stop the mouse polling rate test, click the red “Clear” button.
If you are having trouble clicking the “Start” button, then take the mouse test first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you can find answers to the most common questions about mouse polling rate.
What is the mouse polling rate?
In simple terms, mouse polling rate shows how many times per second your computer receives information from your mouse about movements and button presses. A higher mouse polling rate means a more negligible delay between the movement of your mouse and your computer receiving the signal that the mouse has moved. Mouse polling rate is measured in Hz or Hertz or “times per second” as in 1000 Hz polling rate means data from the mouse will be sent to computer 1000 times per second.
Keep in mind that a higher polling rate also requires a more powerful processing unit to process the information coming from your mouse. Thus having a higher polling rate can increase the load on your system – make your computer slower.
What should my mouse’s polling rate be?
The best polling rate for your mouse depends on your specific needs. The lowest (125 Hz polling rate) is more than sufficient for day-to-day web browsing. However, if you like to play competitive computer games with high precision, the low delay of your mouse is essential. You will want to get a mouse that supports a 500 Hz or 1000 Hz polling rate. Whether you should use 500 Hz or a 1000 Hz polling rate for gaming depends on your personal preference. Some people like having a smoother feel to the mouse, while others value precision.
What polling rates are available?
There are a total of 4 different polling rates available – 125, 250, 500 and 1000 Hz. See the table on the right for polling rates and their corresponding delay in reporting time (rate = 1000 / interval). A higher polling rate indicates smaller response delay.
| Polling Rate (Hz) | Delay (milliseconds) |
|---|---|
| 125 | 8 |
| 250 | 4 |
| 500 | 2 |
| 1000 | 1 |
Is a higher polling rate better for gaming?
Yes, for gaming, you want to use a mouse that supports either 500 Hz or 1000 Hz polling rate so that you won’t suffer from input lag in intense situations. However, 1000 Hz mouse isn’t always better than 500 Hz mouse, and it primarily comes down to preference. Some gamers prefer using the lower polling rate mouse over a higher one, as it gives a smoother feel to the mouse instead of a very “jittery” feel.
Does having a high polling rate give you an advantage in shooter (FPS) games?
It definitely can give you an advantage. If you compare two mice, where one has a 125 Hz polling rate, and the other has a 1000 Hz polling rate, the player with the higher polling rate mouse has 7 millisecond advantage over the player mouse with a lower polling rate. This can be a matter of win or lose in some situations. Getting a mouse with a higher polling rate is definitely worth the investment for serious gamers.
How to change mouse’s polling rate?
You can change your mouse’s polling rate using your mouse’s control panel. If you do not have a control panel for your mouse yet, then check out your mouse’s manufacturer’s website to download your mouse drivers or use an automatic driver finder such as DriverBooster.