Reaction Time Test

How to test your reaction time

1. 1 Click the panel to arm the test, then wait. It stays red for somewhere between one and five seconds, and the delay changes every try so it cannot be anticipated.
2. 2 Click the moment the panel turns green. The time between the change and your click is your reaction time in milliseconds.
3. 3 Clicking during the red counts as a false start and scores nothing, because guessing the moment is not reacting to it.
4. 4 Do at least five tries and read the average. One good result says more about attention than about speed.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good reaction time?

Most people land between 200 and 300 milliseconds with a mouse. Under 200 is quick, and around 150 is close to the floor for a visual signal, because roughly 100 of those milliseconds are spent inside the eye and nerves before your hand can start moving.

Does my screen or mouse affect the result?

Yes, and by more than people expect. A 60 Hz screen can add up to 16 milliseconds before the colour even appears, and a wireless mouse adds a few more. Compare runs on the same setup rather than against someone else's.

Why does the wait change every time?

Because a fixed delay measures rhythm rather than reaction: after two tries you would be clicking on a count instead of on the colour.

Can I improve it?

A little, mostly by being rested and by watching the whole panel instead of staring at one point. Sleep, caffeine and screen refresh rate move the number more than practice does.