refreshRate

Refresh rate is the number of times per second that a display updates its image, measured in hertz (Hz). It is an attribute of the display itself and is distinct from frame rate, which is the number of frames a source can produce per second. A 60 Hz monitor can redraw the image up to 60 times per second, while higher refresh rates allow for smoother movement in fast-paced content, assuming the source can supply enough frames.

Common refresh rates range from 60 Hz on many standard displays to 120 Hz, 144 Hz, and higher on gaming monitors, with some models reaching 240 Hz or more. Modern televisions and laptop screens may also operate at elevated rates, and mobile devices sometimes feature 90 Hz or 120 Hz panels. The perceived benefit of increasing refresh rate depends on the combination of the display, the source frame rate, and human visual perception.

In practice, a higher refresh rate can reduce motion blur and improve perceived smoothness, but it does not by itself increase the amount of information available. The viewer’s experience is also affected by frame rate, input lag, and response time. When the source frame rate cannot match the display’s refresh rate, technologies such as vertical sync (V-Sync) or variable refresh rate (VRR) systems like G-SYNC and FreeSync help minimize tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the two rates. Some displays use PWM for backlight dimming, which can introduce flicker for sensitive viewers, an issue that can be mitigated in part by higher refresh or alternative brightness control.

When selecting a display, consider typical usage, the GPU’s capable frame rate, and whether VRR is available, aiming for a refresh rate that complements the expected frame rates for the content.