Where to find your monitor's refresh rate

Your monitor's refresh rate is the number of times per second the screen redraws the image — measured in hertz (Hz). A 60 Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second; a 144 Hz monitor refreshes 144 times per second. The higher the number, the smoother motion appears, which matters most if you play games or work with video.

The fastest way to find this number is to check the physical monitor itself. Look on the back or bottom of the monitor for a sticker or label with specifications printed on it. The refresh rate is often listed alongside the resolution and model number. If the label is worn or missing, you can find the same information through your operating system in under a minute.

Your computer already knows your monitor's refresh rate — it detected it when you plugged the monitor in. You just need to ask the system to show you what it found. The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but both take you to the same display settings panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the physical sticker on the back or bottom of your monitor first — the refresh rate is usually printed there alongside the model number.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to System, then Display, scroll down to Advanced Display, and look for the refresh rate listed under "Refresh Rate".
  • On Mac, click the Apple menu, choose System Settings, select Displays, click the dropdown next to Resolution, and look for the refresh rate in the list.
  • If your monitor supports multiple refresh rates, your computer may be set to a lower one than the monitor is capable of — check both the monitor's maximum and what your system is currently using.

Finding refresh rate on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on System in the left sidebar, then click Display. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see a link that says Advanced Display. Click it.

On the Advanced Display page, look for a section labeled Refresh Rate. The number shown there — 60, 75, 120, 144, or another figure — is what your monitor is currently set to display. This is the actual refresh rate your system is using right now. If you see a dropdown arrow next to the refresh rate, click it to see all the rates your monitor supports. Your monitor may be capable of higher refresh rates than it is currently set to use.

If you do not see a Refresh Rate field on the Advanced Display page, your graphics card or monitor may not support changing the refresh rate. This is common on older monitors or built-in laptop displays. In that case, the monitor is running at its fixed refresh rate, which is usually 60 Hz.

Finding refresh rate on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings. Click Displays in the sidebar. You will see your current resolution listed — for example, "1920 x 1080 (Retina)". Next to or below the resolution, click the dropdown menu that says Refresh Rate or shows a number with a dropdown arrow.

A list will appear showing all the refresh rates your monitor supports. The one with a checkmark next to it is the rate your monitor is currently using. On newer Macs with external monitors, you may also see an option for "ProMotion" or "Variable Refresh Rate" — these allow the monitor to change its refresh rate dynamically depending on what is on screen.

If you do not see a Refresh Rate dropdown at all, your monitor is fixed at one refresh rate and does not support changing it. Most built-in Mac displays and older external monitors work this way and run at 60 Hz.

Understanding what the number means

Refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz), which means "times per second." A 60 Hz monitor draws a new image 60 times every second. A 144 Hz monitor draws a new image 144 times every second. The human eye can perceive the difference up to around 100 to 120 Hz — above that, the improvement becomes harder to notice for most people, though competitive gamers often prefer higher rates.

For everyday tasks like browsing, email, and document work, 60 Hz is sufficient and is the standard on most monitors and laptops. For gaming, video editing, or fast-paced work, higher refresh rates (120 Hz, 144 Hz, or higher) make motion appear smoother and can reduce eye strain during long sessions. If your monitor supports a higher refresh rate than what your system is currently using, you can usually change it in the same settings panel where you found the current rate.

What to do if you cannot find the refresh rate

If the settings panel does not show a refresh rate option, try updating your graphics drivers. Your computer uses drivers — software that controls how the graphics card talks to the monitor — to detect and use different refresh rates. Outdated drivers sometimes hide this option. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, find Display Adapters, right-click your graphics card, and select Update Driver. On Mac, go to System Settings, General, Software Update and install any available updates.

If updating drivers does not help, your monitor or graphics card may not support variable refresh rates. Many older monitors and all built-in laptop displays are locked at 60 Hz and cannot be changed. You can still find the monitor's specifications by checking the physical label on the back or looking up the model number on the manufacturer's website.

For a monitor you do not own yet, check the product listing or manual before you buy. The refresh rate is always listed in the specifications section, usually near the resolution and response time.

Checking the monitor's maximum capability

What you see in your system settings is the current refresh rate — what your monitor is running at right now. The monitor may be capable of running faster. To find the maximum refresh rate the monitor supports, check the physical label on the back of the monitor or look up the model number on the manufacturer's website.

If your monitor supports 144 Hz but your system is set to 60 Hz, you can change it. Go back to the refresh rate dropdown in your display settings and select the higher rate. Your monitor will when ready switch to the new rate. If the screen flickers or looks unstable after changing it, switch back to the previous rate — this usually means your graphics card or cable cannot handle the higher rate reliably.

Laptops are an exception: most laptops have built-in displays that are locked at 60 Hz and cannot be changed, even if the settings panel shows other options. If you want a higher refresh rate on a laptop, you need to connect an external monitor that supports it.

Why refresh rate matters for different uses

For web browsing, email, spreadsheets, and document editing, the refresh rate makes almost no difference. Your eyes are not tracking fast motion, so 60 Hz looks identical to 144 Hz. You will not notice any improvement by upgrading.

For gaming, especially fast-paced games like shooters or racing games, higher refresh rates make a real difference. A 144 Hz monitor shows motion more smoothly than a 60 Hz monitor, and some players report it helps them react faster. If you play competitive games, a 120 Hz or 144 Hz monitor is worth considering.

For video editing and animation work, a higher refresh rate can reduce eye strain during long editing sessions because the screen flicker is less noticeable. It does not change the quality of your work, but it can make the work more comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my monitor's refresh rate to something higher than what it currently shows?

Only if your monitor supports it. Click the refresh rate dropdown in your display settings to see all available options. If higher rates appear in the list, your monitor supports them and you can select one. If only one rate appears, your monitor is locked at that rate and cannot be changed.

My monitor says 144 Hz on the box, but my system shows 60 Hz. Why?

Your graphics card, cable, or driver may not be set up to use the higher rate. Check the refresh rate dropdown to see if 144 Hz appears as an option. If it does, select it. If it does not, update your graphics drivers or try a different cable — some older cables cannot carry the signal for high refresh rates.

Does a higher refresh rate use more power or make my computer run hotter?

Yes, but the difference is small — usually a few watts and a couple of degrees. For most people, the impact is not noticeable. If your computer is already running hot, switching to a lower refresh rate may help slightly, but it is rarely the main cause of overheating.

Is 60 Hz enough for gaming?

For casual gaming and single-player games, 60 Hz is fine. For competitive online games where reaction time matters, many players prefer 120 Hz or higher. The difference is noticeable if you are used to higher rates, but 60 Hz is not unplayable.

What if my monitor supports 144 Hz but I only see 60 Hz in the dropdown?

Update your graphics drivers first — this solves the problem most of the time. If that does not work, try a different cable, especially if you are using an older HDMI cable. DisplayPort and newer HDMI cables handle high refresh rates better. If neither helps, your graphics card may not support the higher rate.