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Reaction Time Test

Wait for the box to turn green, then click as fast as you can. Five tries, then your average.

Five attempts. Use the mouse, a tap, or Space when the box has focus.

Your best average: —

How to use

  1. Click the box, tap it, or focus it and press Space to begin. The box turns red and says "Wait for green".
  2. Keep your finger ready but don't click. After a random pause of a few seconds the box turns green and says "Click now!".
  3. Click as quickly as you can. Your reaction time appears in milliseconds.
  4. Click again for the next attempt. After five attempts you get your average, best and slowest times.
  5. If you click before the box turns green, you see "Too soon!" and that attempt is simply repeated.

What this test measures

This is a simple reaction time test: one signal, one response. The page waits a random time, changes the box to green, and measures how long it takes until you press. That interval covers the time for your eyes to notice the change, for your brain to decide to move and for the signal to travel to your finger, plus the delays added by your devices. Because there is only one possible signal, this is called simple reaction time; tests where you must choose between several signals measure choice reaction time, which is slower.

It is also different from a click speed test: the CPS test counts how many clicks you make in a few seconds, not how fast you respond.

Doing five attempts and showing the average gives a more reliable picture than a single try. One lucky or sleepy attempt has a big effect on one result but only a small effect on the average. The best and slowest times are shown too, because a large gap between them usually means your attention drifted. Your best average is saved only in this browser on this device and is never uploaded.

How the time is measured

The test uses the high-resolution timer in your browser, which measures in fractions of a millisecond. The clock starts when the page switches the box to green and stops on the pointer-down event, the moment your mouse button or finger goes down, rather than the click event, which only fires when you release. That removes the time spent letting go of the button from your result.

If you press while the box is still red, the attempt does not count. You see “Too soon!” and that attempt starts over with a new random delay, so guessing does not pay off.

Why your hardware matters

No browser test can measure your reaction perfectly, because some of the delay comes from your equipment:

  • Display latency (input lag). The screen needs time to show the green box. At 60 Hz a new frame appears only every 16.7 ms, and many monitors and TVs add more delay for image processing. High-refresh gaming monitors reduce this.
  • Input latency. Mice, keyboards and touchscreens all take a few milliseconds to report a press. Bluetooth devices are often slower than wired ones.
  • System load. A busy computer may update the page a frame or two late. Close heavy tabs for steadier results.

Because these delays add to every attempt, your score is best compared with your own earlier results on the same device.

Typical results

Under good conditions, average results for young adults on simple visual tests cluster roughly between 200 and 270 ms. Reaction times tend to get slower with age, and they also vary through the day with sleep and caffeine. Athletes and experienced gamers are often a little quicker, mostly because they stay focused and react more consistently.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal reaction time?

For a simple visual test like this one, most adults score between about 200 and 300 milliseconds on a computer. Times around 150 to 200 ms are fast. Results depend on age, alertness and your equipment, so compare yourself with your own earlier scores rather than with other people.

Why is my time slower than on another device?

Every screen, mouse and browser adds its own delay. A 60 Hz monitor shows a new picture only every 16.7 ms, many screens add further processing time, and wireless mice and touchscreens add a few more milliseconds. A fast gaming monitor and wired mouse can easily make you look 20 to 50 ms quicker.

Why does the wait before green change every time?

The delay is random, between 1.5 and 4.5 seconds, so you cannot learn the rhythm and click in advance. A fixed delay would measure timing instead of reaction.

Can I improve my reaction time?

A little. Sleep, a short warm-up and focus help the most; tiredness, alcohol and distraction make you slower. Regular practice in fast-paced games can help you react more consistently, though the basic speed of your nerves changes very little.

Is this test suitable for color-blind people?

Yes. Besides changing color, the box always changes its text, from "Wait for green" to "Click now!", so you can react to the words alone.

Why doesn't a click right after the fifth attempt start a new round?

After the fifth attempt the box ignores presses until you have paused for 1.5 seconds, so an extra click does not wipe your results. After that, click the box or press Try again to start a new round.

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