How the reaction time test works
- Choose Visual or Auditory.
- Press the big box to start. It turns red: wait. The wait is random, between 1.5 and 4.5 seconds, so you can't predict it.
- When the box turns green, or when you hear the beep, press as fast as you can: click, tap or hit Space.
- Repeat five times. Pressing before the signal shows "Too soon!" and doesn't count.
The timer starts from the frame that actually shows green, and your press is timed with the browser's high-resolution clock, so the number reflects you plus your device as closely as a web page can.
What's a good reaction time?
| Visual result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under 200 ms | Excellent – very fast, often trained gamers or athletes |
| 200–250 ms | Good – faster than most people |
| 250–300 ms | Typical for an online human reaction time test |
| Over 300 ms | Slower than average – tiredness, distraction or a slow device |
These ranges are for this kind of browser test, not lab equipment. Use the median when you compare rounds: one slow press because you blinked won't skew it.
Auditory reaction time test
Switch to Auditory and the screen gives no hint; you react only to a short 1 kHz beep. Most people are noticeably faster to sound than to light. Studies of simple reaction time typically find around 150 ms for sound and around 200 ms for light in lab conditions, and you will probably see a similar gap here.
For a fair audio reaction time test, use speakers or wired headphones. Bluetooth headphones delay sound by 100 ms or more, which would make you look much slower than you are. The page already subtracts the delay your browser reports for its own audio output.
What slows you down
- Your device: a 60 Hz screen can add up to about 17 ms before green appears, wireless mice and touchscreens add a few more, and TVs in non-game mode can add much more.
- Tiredness and distraction: lack of sleep is one of the biggest factors. Test at the same time of day if you're tracking progress.
- Age: simple reaction time slowly gets longer with age, but practice and alertness matter more day to day.
- Practice: most people gain 10 to 30 ms after a few rounds, mostly by getting used to the test.
Want to know what your screen adds? The refresh rate test shows how many times per second it updates. To check that your sound works before the auditory test, try the headphone test.
How we tested this tool
We simulated presses at known delays after the signal (for example 180 ms and 300 ms) in a desktop browser and checked that the measured times matched within a few milliseconds, that presses during the wait were rejected as too soon, and that the average, best and median of five attempts were calculated correctly. We also checked that the beep plays and that the layout works at a 375 px phone width.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good reaction time?
In an online visual test, around 200 to 250 ms is good and 250 to 300 ms is typical. Under 200 ms is excellent. Your device adds some delay, so compare results on the same device rather than with someone else's phone or PC.
Why is my auditory reaction time faster?
Sound reaches the brain and is processed faster than light, so simple reactions to a beep are usually tens of milliseconds quicker than reactions to a color change. Studies typically find around 150 ms for sound versus around 200 ms for light in lab conditions.
Does my device affect the result?
Yes. The screen, the mouse or touchscreen and especially Bluetooth headphones add delay. A 60 Hz screen can add up to about 17 ms, and Bluetooth audio can add 100 ms or more, so use speakers or wired headphones for the auditory test.
Why does the test say Too soon?
You pressed before the signal. The wait is random, between 1.5 and 4.5 seconds, so guessing doesn't work. Early presses are not counted; press again to retry.
Can I improve my reaction time?
A little. Good sleep, being alert, a comfortable position and practice with the same setup all help. Fatigue, alcohol and distraction slow you down. Most people improve by 10 to 30 ms after some practice, mainly by getting used to the test.