Response Time Test
Visual response time evaluation with alternating black-to-white and gray-to-gray transitions.
What to look for
- Watch for smearing during transitions - indicates slow response.
- Gray-to-gray (GtG) is the hardest transition for most panels.
- IPS panels are typically slower than TN for black-to-white.
Frequently Asked Questions
Testing guide
How to check monitor response time
A browser response time test cannot certify exact laboratory milliseconds, but it can reveal the visible symptoms that matter: ghosting, dark smearing, inverse ghosting, and overdrive artifacts. Use it to compare monitor settings in repeatable conditions.
Best for
- Comparing overdrive modes such as Off, Normal, Fast, and Extreme.
- Spotting slow gray-to-gray transitions on IPS, VA, OLED, and gaming monitors.
- Checking whether a marketed 1ms mode produces distracting overshoot in real use.
How to run the test
- 1Set the monitor to its native resolution and highest stable refresh rate.
- 2Run the response time pattern in fullscreen mode with one overdrive preset selected.
- 3Watch edges of moving objects for trails, halos, dark smearing, or bright inverse ghosting.
- 4Repeat with each overdrive preset and choose the setting with the least visible artifacts.
How to read the result
Dark trails usually mean pixel transitions are too slow for the selected refresh rate.
Bright halos or colored outlines usually mean overdrive is too aggressive.
OLED panels typically show cleaner transitions, while VA LCDs often show more dark smearing.
Related tools and guides
Frequently asked questions
Can a website measure exact GtG response time?
Not exactly. Exact GtG requires controlled equipment such as a photodiode or high-speed camera. A web test is useful for visual comparison and finding bad overdrive settings.
Is 1ms response time always better?
No. Some 1ms modes use extreme overdrive and create bright inverse ghosting. A slightly slower balanced mode often looks clearer.
What is the difference between response time and input lag?
Response time is pixel transition speed. Input lag is the delay between an input and the resulting image. A monitor can have fast pixels but still feel delayed if processing latency is high.