Mouse Polling Rate Test
Move your mouse quickly in circles inside the box.
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What is mouse polling rate?
Polling rate is how often your mouse reports its position to your computer, measured in hertz (Hz). At 125 Hz it reports every 8 milliseconds; at 1000 Hz, every millisecond; at 8000 Hz, every eighth of a millisecond. More reports mean the cursor follows your hand more closely and your clicks and movements reach the game a little sooner.
| Polling rate | Report every | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 8 ms | Office mice, older USB defaults |
| 500 Hz | 2 ms | Budget gaming mice, power-saving mode |
| 1000 Hz | 1 ms | Most gaming mice, the common standard |
| 2000–8000 Hz | 0.5–0.125 ms | High-end esports mice |
How this test works
Your mouse only sends reports while it moves, so the test times the gaps between movement reports while you move and works out how many arrive per second. Pauses are ignored. The likely setting is the standard rate closest to what your mouse reaches while moving fast, which is how you'd normally read a polling rate. The chart shows the last 15 seconds, with the standard rates marked.
Where the browser supports it (Chrome, Edge and other Chromium browsers), the test reads raw pointer updates, which is the most accurate method. Other browsers report several movements together in one event; the test unpacks those, which works well up to about 1000 Hz. Safari may only report once per screen refresh, so it can read far lower than your real rate.
Why does my reading jump around?
- Slow movement: if your hand moves too slowly, some reports carry no movement and get skipped. Move faster and in big circles.
- Busy computer: heavy background work can delay reports. Close other tabs and try again.
- Wireless mice: interference or a low battery can make the rate unsteady. Plug the receiver into a port close to the mouse, ideally using the extension cable that came with it.
- Very high rates: at 4000 and 8000 Hz, browsers and USB hubs can struggle to keep up. A reading a little under your setting is normal.
How to change your polling rate
Most gaming mice set it in their own software (look for "polling rate" or "report rate"), and some have a button underneath. Office mice usually can't be changed. For most players, 1000 Hz is the sweet spot: it's smooth and responsive without the higher processor load of 4000–8000 Hz. If a game stutters when you move the mouse at a high rate, try a step lower.
While you're checking your mouse, test its buttons for double-click faults with the mouse test, and check your monitor with the refresh rate test.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1000 Hz better than 500 Hz?
Yes, a little. At 1000 Hz your mouse reports twice as often, which makes tracking smoother and cuts up to half a millisecond of delay. Most people can't feel the difference beyond 1000 Hz, but some competitive players prefer higher rates on high-refresh monitors.
Does polling rate affect battery life?
Yes. Wireless mice use more power at higher rates, especially 4000 Hz and above. Many switch to a lower rate in power-saving mode.
Does it work with a trackpad?
Yes, though trackpads often report at a fixed rate that's lower than a gaming mouse's, and some only report as often as the screen refreshes.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser.