What refresh rate is and why it matters

Your monitor's refresh rate is how many times per second the image on your screen redraws itself. It is measured in hertz (Hz). A 60 Hz monitor redraws the picture 60 times each second. A 144 Hz monitor does it 144 times per second. The higher the number, the smoother motion appears — scrolling through a web page, moving your mouse, or watching video will look less choppy.

For everyday tasks like email, word processing, or web browsing, 60 Hz is sufficient and is what most monitors ship with. If you play video games, edit video, or do graphics work where you watch motion constantly, a higher refresh rate reduces eye strain and makes the experience feel more responsive. The difference between 60 Hz and 144 Hz is noticeable the moment you move your mouse; the difference between 144 Hz and 240 Hz is smaller but still real if you are looking for it.

Your graphics card (the component that sends the image to your monitor) has to keep up with the refresh rate you choose. A monitor set to 144 Hz but paired with a graphics card that can only produce 60 frames per second will still show 60 frames per second — you will not see the benefit. This is why refresh rate matters most if you already have or are planning to upgrade your graphics hardware.

Key Takeaways

  • Refresh rate is measured in hertz and tells you how many times per second your monitor redraws the image; 60 Hz is standard, and higher rates make motion appear smoother.
  • You can find your monitor's refresh rate in Windows Settings under Display, in macOS System Settings under Displays, or in your monitor's manual or specifications sheet.
  • The refresh rate your monitor displays depends on both the monitor itself and the cable connecting it — using an older cable can force a lower refresh rate even if the monitor supports higher.
  • Your graphics card must be capable of producing frames at the refresh rate you want; a 144 Hz monitor paired with a weak graphics card will not show the benefit.
  • Changing your refresh rate is done in your operating system's display settings, not on the monitor itself, though some gaming monitors have an on-screen menu for confirmation.

Finding your refresh rate in Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to System in the left sidebar, then click Display. Scroll down and click Advanced display settings. At the bottom of the window, you will see a section labeled Refresh rate with a dropdown menu showing the current rate in Hz.

If you see only one option in that dropdown, your monitor and cable are locked to that rate. If you see multiple options, you can click the dropdown to see what rates are available. Do not change it yet — just note what your monitor is currently set to. The highest number in the list is usually what your monitor is capable of, though it depends on your graphics card and cable as well.

If the Advanced display settings window does not show a refresh rate dropdown at all, right-click on your desktop and look for an option like Graphics Settings or NVIDIA Control Panel (if you have an NVIDIA graphics card) or AMD Radeon Settings (if you have AMD). These manufacturer panels sometimes override Windows settings and may show refresh rate options there instead.

Finding your refresh rate on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Displays in the sidebar. If you have an external monitor connected, you may see it listed separately — click on it. Look for a section labeled Refresh rate or Resolution. The refresh rate will be shown next to the resolution, usually as a number followed by Hz.

On Mac, the refresh rate is often set automatically based on what your monitor and cable support. You may not see a dropdown to change it unless you click Customize or More options in the Displays settings. If those options do not appear, your Mac is already using the highest rate your setup supports.

Checking your monitor's manual or specifications

If you cannot find the refresh rate in your operating system settings, or if you want to know what your monitor is theoretically capable of before you bought it, look at the monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website. Search for your monitor model number — it is usually printed on the back or bottom of the monitor — and look for a specifications sheet or datasheet.

The specifications will list the maximum refresh rate the monitor supports, often under a heading like "Display Specifications" or "Technical Specifications." This tells you the ceiling, but your actual refresh rate depends on your graphics card and cable. A monitor rated for 144 Hz might only run at 60 Hz if your graphics card cannot keep up or if you are using an older cable.

Why your refresh rate might be lower than expected

The most common reason a monitor runs at a lower refresh rate than it is rated for is the cable. HDMI cables older than version 2.0 cannot carry a signal fast enough for high refresh rates. DisplayPort cables are generally more capable, but even they have limits depending on the version. If your monitor supports 144 Hz but your settings show only 60 Hz, try a different cable — particularly a newer HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort cable — and check the settings again.

Your graphics card is the second reason. If your graphics card is several years old, it may not be able to produce frames fast enough to match a high refresh rate. You can still set the monitor to a higher refresh rate in settings, but your graphics card will not actually send that many frames, so you will not see the smoothness benefit. Checking your graphics card's specifications will tell you what frame rates it can produce.

A third reason is that your monitor is connected to your computer's built-in graphics (integrated graphics) rather than a dedicated graphics card. Many laptops and budget desktops use integrated graphics, which are slower than dedicated cards. They can still drive 60 Hz reliably, but higher rates may not be possible.

Changing your refresh rate

In Windows, go back to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. Click the Refresh rate dropdown and select a higher rate if one is available. Click explore, then Keep changes when prompted. Your screen may flicker for a moment as it switches. If the new rate causes problems — flickering, artifacts, or a black screen — wait 15 seconds and Windows will automatically revert to the previous setting.

On Mac, click Customize in the Displays settings if the option appears, then select a refresh rate from the list. Click Confirm to explore the change. Mac will not automatically revert if something goes wrong, so if you see problems, go back to Displays and select a lower rate.

Some gaming monitors have an on-screen menu (accessed by buttons on the monitor itself) that also shows or lets you change the refresh rate. Changing it there does not override your operating system setting — the operating system setting is what actually controls the rate. The monitor menu is mainly for confirmation or for switching between different input sources.

Refresh rate and gaming performance

If you play games, your graphics card's frame rate and your monitor's refresh rate work together. If your graphics card produces 100 frames per second but your monitor refreshes at 60 Hz, you will only see 60 of those frames — the rest are wasted. Conversely, if your monitor refreshes at 144 Hz but your graphics card only produces 60 frames per second, you will see 60 frames per second, not 144.

For the smoothest experience, you want your graphics card's frame rate to match or exceed your monitor's refresh rate. Many gaming setups use a feature called V-Sync (vertical sync) to lock the frame rate to the refresh rate, preventing a visual glitch called "screen tearing." You can turn V-Sync on or off in your game's graphics settings or in your graphics card's control panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a higher refresh rate use more power?

Yes, but the difference is small — usually a few watts. A 144 Hz monitor uses slightly more electricity than a 60 Hz monitor because the screen is refreshing more often. For most people, the power cost is negligible, but if you are running on battery (like a laptop), a lower refresh rate will extend battery life slightly.

Can I damage my monitor by setting it to the wrong refresh rate?

Modern monitors are designed to handle refresh rates safely. If you set a rate that is too high for your cable or graphics card, you will see visual problems like flickering or a black screen, but the monitor will not be damaged. Your operating system will usually revert the change automatically after a few seconds.

Is 60 Hz enough for watching movies or streaming video?

Yes. Movies and streaming video are recorded at 24, 30, or 60 frames per second, so a 60 Hz monitor displays them smoothly. You do not need a higher refresh rate for video content — the benefit of higher refresh rates is mainly for interactive tasks like gaming or scrolling.

Why does my laptop show a different refresh rate than my external monitor?

Your laptop screen and external monitor are separate displays with different capabilities. Your laptop screen might be limited to 60 Hz, while an external monitor could support 144 Hz. Each one's refresh rate is set independently in your display settings. If you have both connected, you can set them to different rates.

What refresh rate do I need for video editing?

For video editing, 60 Hz is standard and sufficient. The benefit of higher refresh rates is mainly for real-time playback smoothness. What matters more for editing is color accuracy and screen size — editors typically prioritize a monitor with accurate color over a high refresh rate.