Response Time Test
Check for motion blur, ghosting, and pixel response time
UFO Motion Test
Track the moving object with your eyes. Look for trailing/ghosting behind the object.
Black-White Transition Test
Tests pixel transition between extreme colors. Slow transitions indicate high response time.
Scrolling Text Clarity
Text should remain readable while scrolling. Blur indicates response time issues.
Response Time Guide
| Response Time | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1ms | Excellent | Competitive gaming, fast-paced FPS |
| 2-4ms | Great | Gaming, action movies |
| 5-8ms | Good | Casual gaming, general use |
| 10ms+ | Noticeable blur | Office work, static content |
Ghosting
Faint trail behind moving objects caused by slow pixel transitions.
Overshoot
Inverse ghosting (bright trail) from aggressive overdrive settings.
Overdrive
Monitor setting that speeds up pixel transitions. Adjust in OSD if needed.
Related Tools
What is Monitor Response Time and Why Does It Matter?
Response time measures how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another, typically measured in milliseconds (ms). A monitor with fast response time produces sharp, clear images during motion, while slow response times result in ghosting, motion blur, and smearing effects that reduce visual clarity.
Our response time test helps you evaluate your monitor's pixel transition speed using moving objects and patterns. By observing the trails behind moving elements, you can determine whether your display's response time is adequate for gaming, video playback, or other fast-motion content.
Understanding GtG vs MPRT Response Time Measurements
Gray-to-Gray (GtG) Response Time
GtG response time measures how long pixels take to transition between different shades of gray. This is the most commonly advertised specification because gray transitions represent typical real-world pixel changes. A monitor advertising 1ms GtG means pixels can complete most transitions in one millisecond under optimal conditions.
Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT)
MPRT measures perceived motion blur by accounting for both pixel response and sample-and-hold effects. Even with instant pixel response, LCD displays hold each frame for the duration of a refresh cycle, creating inherent blur. MPRT provides a more accurate picture of how sharp moving objects actually appear to the human eye.
Why Both Metrics Matter
A monitor may advertise 1ms GtG but have higher perceived blur due to sample-and-hold. Conversely, monitors with motion blur reduction (strobed backlight) can achieve very low MPRT even with moderate GtG response times. For the best motion clarity, look for monitors with both fast GtG and low MPRT.
Monitor Ghosting, Overdrive, and How to Fix Motion Blur
What Causes Ghosting
Ghosting occurs when pixels cannot transition fast enough to keep up with moving content. You see faint trails or shadows following moving objects because the previous pixel state hasn't fully cleared before the new frame arrives. This is especially noticeable in fast-paced games and high-motion video content.
How Overdrive Works
Overdrive (also called Response Time Compensation) applies additional voltage to pixels to accelerate their transitions. This can significantly reduce ghosting by forcing faster color changes. Most gaming monitors offer overdrive settings labeled as "Off," "Normal," "Fast," or "Extreme."
Inverse Ghosting (Overshoot)
Setting overdrive too aggressively causes inverse ghosting or "overshoot," where pixels transition past their target color before settling. This creates bright coronas or halos ahead of moving objects. The optimal overdrive setting balances ghosting reduction without introducing noticeable overshoot artifacts.
Response Time Across Different Panel Technologies
TN Panels – Fastest LCD Response
TN (Twisted Nematic) panels offer the fastest response times among LCD technologies, often achieving true 1ms GtG. This makes TN popular for competitive gaming despite inferior color accuracy and viewing angles compared to other panel types.
IPS Panels – Improved but Variable
IPS panels traditionally had slower response times, but modern "Fast IPS" variants approach TN performance with 1-4ms GtG. IPS offers superior color reproduction and viewing angles, making it ideal for gaming monitors that balance speed with visual quality.
VA Panels – Contrast vs Speed Trade-off
VA panels excel in contrast ratio but typically have the slowest response times, especially during dark transitions. This can cause visible black smearing in dark scenes. High-end VA gaming monitors use aggressive overdrive to compensate.
OLED – Near-Instant Response
OLED displays achieve near-instantaneous pixel response (under 0.1ms) because each pixel emits its own light. This virtually eliminates ghosting and provides the sharpest motion clarity available. OLED gaming monitors deliver clearer motion than even the fastest 360Hz LCD panels.
What Response Time Do You Actually Need?
Casual Use and Office Work
For general productivity, web browsing, and office applications, response time is rarely noticeable. Any monitor with 8ms or faster provides adequate performance for non-gaming tasks.
Movies and Media Consumption
Video content at 24-60fps doesn't demand extreme response times. A monitor with 5ms GtG handles most video playback without visible ghosting, though faster is always better for action sequences.
Competitive Gaming
Fast-paced competitive games benefit significantly from 1-4ms GtG response times. Combined with high refresh rates (144Hz+), fast response ensures moving targets remain sharp and clear, providing a genuine competitive advantage.