FPS vs. Refresh Rate Calculator

How to calculate FPS vs Refresh Rate (Hz) calculator?

This calculator converts frames per second and monitor refresh rate into frame time and refresh interval so you can compare rendering speed to display timing.

Key formulas: frame_time_ms = 1000 / fps; refresh_interval_ms = 1000 / refresh_rate_hz

Using the FPS vs Refresh Rate (Hz) calculator calculator: an example

Example values: Monitor refresh rate = 144 Hz, Desired in-game FPS = 120 FPS.

Step-by-step calculation:

1. Calculate frame time: 1000 / 120 FPS = 8.33 ms per frame.
2. Calculate refresh interval: 1000 / 144 Hz = 6.94 ms per refresh.
3. Compare timings: frame time (8.33 ms) is longer than refresh interval (6.94 ms), so frames arrive slower than the display refresh.
4. Recommendation: cap or target FPS to the monitor refresh (e.g., 144 FPS) or enable adaptive sync to reduce tearing and variability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will matching FPS to refresh rate eliminate screen tearing?

Matching FPS to the refresh rate greatly reduces tearing, and using V-sync or adaptive sync (G-Sync/FreeSync) provides a more reliable solution.

Is it better to have FPS higher than refresh rate?

Higher FPS can improve responsiveness, but visual benefit is limited if the monitor cannot display those extra frames; adaptive sync can help utilize higher FPS without tearing.

Should I cap my FPS at my monitor's refresh rate?

Capping FPS at the refresh rate often yields steadier latency and reduced power use. If your GPU can maintain a higher stable FPS and your display supports variable refresh, uncapped FPS may still be useful.