Free Online Mouse Test
Mouse Polling Rate Test
Measure how frequently your browser receives mouse movement updates and estimate your mouse polling rate in Hz.
Works with compatible mice and trackpads. No browser permission is required.
Test Your Mouse Polling Rate
Start the test, then move your mouse quickly and continuously inside the test area. The browser measures the timing between pointer updates and estimates the polling frequency.
This is a browser-based estimate. Browser event coalescing, display refresh rate, operating-system input processing and system performance can affect the reported result.
Live measurements
- Live rate
- The current short-window polling-rate estimate in hertz.
- Average rate
- The average browser-visible polling rate across the collected sample.
- Median rate
- The middle polling-rate value, which is less affected by occasional spikes.
- Peak rate
- The highest observed browser-visible polling-rate reading.
- Lowest rate
- The lowest observed browser-visible polling-rate reading.
- Average interval
- The average time in milliseconds between pointer updates.
- Stability
- An estimate of how consistent the event intervals are during the test.
- Closest standard rate
- The result is compared with common rates such as 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz.
How to Use the Mouse Polling Rate Test
- Connect the mouse you want to test.
- Close heavy applications or downloads that may affect browser performance.
- Press Start 5 Second Test.
- Move the mouse quickly and continuously inside the test area.
- Keep moving until the timer reaches zero.
- Review the average, median, peak and closest standard polling rate.
What to Look For
A stable test should produce many readings close to the same range. Large swings can be caused by browser scheduling, wireless interference, power-saving settings or an inconsistent mouse connection.
Repeat the test several times and compare the average and median instead of relying only on a single peak reading.
What the Mouse Polling Rate Test Measures
Mouse polling rate describes how often movement information is reported to the computer. This browser test estimates that frequency from the timing between pointer updates received while you move the mouse.
Polling frequency in Hz
A result near 1000 Hz means the browser is receiving roughly one thousand pointer updates per second during the test.
Average event interval
Polling rate and interval are inversely related. 1000 Hz is approximately 1 ms between reports, while 125 Hz is approximately 8 ms.
Peak and lowest readings
The highest and lowest observed rates help show how widely individual pointer-event intervals vary during the session.
Median polling rate
The median is less affected by occasional unusually fast or slow events and can be useful when browser timing is noisy.
Result stability
The tool compares the spread of event intervals to estimate whether readings are relatively consistent or highly variable.
Closest common rate
The measured result is compared with common mouse rates including 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz.
Common Mouse Polling Rates Explained
Higher polling rates reduce the nominal time between movement reports, although the practical benefit depends on the mouse, computer, game, display refresh rate and overall system latency.
| Polling rate | Approx. interval | Typical interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 8 ms | Common on basic or older mice. |
| 250 Hz | 4 ms | Faster than basic 125 Hz operation. |
| 500 Hz | 2 ms | Common gaming-mouse setting. |
| 1000 Hz | 1 ms | Very common on modern gaming mice. |
| 2000 Hz | 0.5 ms | High polling mode on supported hardware. |
| 4000 Hz | 0.25 ms | High-end gaming-mouse mode. |
| 8000 Hz | 0.125 ms | Very high polling mode requiring strong system support. |
Why Mouse Polling Rate Results Can Change
Browser measurements are affected by more than the mouse itself. Repeated testing under the same conditions gives the most useful comparison.
Browser event coalescing
Browsers may combine or schedule pointer events differently, which can reduce or reshape the event rate visible to a webpage.
Display refresh rate
Some browser pointer updates can be influenced by rendering and animation timing, particularly when ordinary pointer movement events are used.
CPU or browser load
Heavy tabs, games, video encoding or background applications can delay event handling and lower measured consistency.
Wireless interference
A wireless mouse may produce different results when the receiver is obstructed, distant or affected by nearby radio traffic.
USB port or hub
Changing the USB port, hub, dock or adapter can alter device behaviour or introduce additional scheduling and connection issues.
Mouse firmware or software
Gaming-mouse software may provide selectable polling modes such as 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 or higher Hz.
When to Use a Mouse Polling Rate Tester
After changing polling-rate settings
Run the same movement pattern before and after changing the mouse software setting and compare the average and median.
When mouse movement feels inconsistent
Compare repeated tests and look for unusually low averages, large swings or unstable event intervals.
After changing a USB port
Repeat the test after moving the receiver or cable to another direct USB port, hub or dock.
When comparing two mice
Use the same browser, computer, movement pattern and test duration so the comparison is as consistent as possible.
How Accurate Is a Browser Mouse Polling Rate Test?
The test can provide a useful estimate of how frequently pointer updates reach the current browser. A longer sample with continuous movement is more meaningful than one or two isolated events.
Modern browsers may expose raw pointer updates on supported systems. When raw updates are unavailable, the tool falls back to normal pointer movement events.
What This Test Cannot Prove
A webpage cannot guarantee the exact USB hardware polling rate configured inside the mouse or its firmware. Browser scheduling and operating-system input processing sit between the mouse and this page.
For exact hardware configuration, compare the browser result with the polling-rate setting shown by the mouse manufacturer's software where available.
What Your Mouse Polling Rate Result Means
A reading near 125 Hz corresponds to about 8 ms between reports, 500 Hz to about 2 ms and 1000 Hz to about 1 ms. Higher rates shorten the reporting interval but can also increase CPU and USB activity.
The average and median are usually more useful than the single highest reading. A peak can be caused by one unusually short event interval and does not necessarily represent the sustained polling rate.
Polling Rate Lower Than Expected?
- Move the mouse faster. Slow movement can produce fewer browser events and a lower-looking result.
- Close heavy applications. Reduce CPU and browser load, then repeat the same five-second test.
- Check mouse software. Confirm that the intended polling-rate mode is selected where supported.
- Try another USB connection. Connect the mouse or receiver directly to another compatible USB port.
Mouse Movement Data Stays in Your Browser
The test reads temporary pointer-event timing while the page is open. It does not upload, store or identify your mouse movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mouse polling rate?
Mouse polling rate is the frequency at which movement and button information is reported to the computer, usually expressed in hertz or Hz.
Is this mouse polling rate test free?
Yes. The test is free, runs in the browser and does not require an account, download or device permission.
How do I test my mouse polling rate?
Start the test and move the mouse quickly and continuously inside the test area until the timer finishes. Compare the average, median and closest common rate.
What does 1000 Hz polling rate mean?
A 1000 Hz polling rate corresponds to roughly one report every millisecond under ideal conditions.
Is 500 Hz or 1000 Hz better?
1000 Hz provides a shorter nominal reporting interval than 500 Hz, but the practical difference depends on the mouse, computer, game, display and system latency.
Can a browser measure 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz or 8000 Hz?
A browser may receive very high-frequency pointer updates on supported systems, but event coalescing, scheduling and performance can prevent a webpage from showing the exact hardware polling rate.
Why is my polling rate lower than the mouse setting?
Browser event handling, operating-system processing, CPU load, wireless conditions, the USB connection and movement speed can all affect the measured browser event rate.
Why does the polling rate keep changing?
Individual event intervals naturally vary. Browser scheduling and system activity can also create occasional slow or fast readings, which is why the average and median are useful.
Does screen refresh rate affect the result?
It can influence how some browsers schedule normal pointer movement events. Raw pointer updates can reduce that relationship when the browser and system support them.
Can I test a wireless mouse?
Yes. The test works with mouse input received by the browser, including compatible wired and wireless mice.
Can I test a trackpad?
Yes, but a trackpad may use different input processing and may not behave like a high-polling gaming mouse.
Does a higher polling rate reduce input lag?
A higher polling rate shortens the nominal time between mouse reports, but total input latency also depends on the operating system, game, CPU, GPU and display.
Does a higher polling rate use more CPU?
Very high polling rates can increase the number of input events the system must process, so CPU usage can rise in some games or applications.
What polling rate should I use for gaming?
Many gaming mice commonly use 500 Hz or 1000 Hz. Higher modes can be useful on supported hardware, but stability and overall system performance are also important.
Can this test change my mouse polling rate?
No. The page only measures pointer-event timing. Change polling rate through supported mouse software, hardware controls or operating-system tools.
Is the peak polling rate my real polling rate?
Not necessarily. A peak can come from one very short event interval. The sustained average and median are generally more useful for estimating the browser-visible rate.
Should I run the test more than once?
Yes. Repeat the test several times under the same conditions and compare the average and median results.
Does this test save my mouse movement?
No. Pointer timing is processed temporarily in the browser for the live result and is not uploaded or stored by the tool.
Related Mouse and Input Tests
- Mouse Test — Check buttons, scrolling, dragging and pointer movement.
- Double Click Test — Check click timing and unwanted double clicks.
- CPS Test — Measure clicks per second over a timed test.
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