Gaming Monitor Response Time Guide — How to Use
Select your game genre to see the recommended response time target. Optionally enter your monitor's spec to get an instant assessment of whether your display meets the mark for your games.
What Is Response Time?
Monitor response time (GtG) measures how fast a pixel transitions between gray shades. Lower is better for fast-moving content. Competitive FPS and racing games benefit most from 1ms panels. For RPGs and strategy games, response time matters much less — color accuracy and resolution are more important.
Response Time vs Refresh Rate
Refresh rate (Hz) has a bigger impact on perceived smoothness than response time alone. A 144Hz 5ms panel will feel smoother than a 60Hz 1ms panel in most games. When buying a new monitor, prioritize both: 144Hz+ and a response time suited to your primary game genre.
FAQ
Marketing specs are often measured under ideal conditions. Check independent reviews at sites like RTINGS.com for real-world GtG measurements before buying.
TN panels were traditionally fastest, but modern IPS and some VA panels also hit 1ms. IPS panels offer better color and viewing angles, making them the most balanced choice today.
OLED is self-emitting and achieves ~0.1ms response times. Burn-in is a concern for gaming use, so monitor usage habits carefully with OLED panels.