What Refresh Rate Your Mac Laptop Can Actually Display

Mac laptops support refresh rates between 60Hz and 120Hz, depending on the model and external display you connect

The refresh rate your Mac can display depends on three things: which Mac you own, whether you are using the built-in screen or an external monitor, and what cable or connection you are using. Built-in Mac laptop screens run at 60Hz on older models and up to 120Hz on the newest MacBook Pro models with ProMotion. External displays can go higher, but your Mac will only send the refresh rate it is capable of handling. Knowing your Mac's limits matters because buying a 144Hz gaming monitor will not give you 144Hz performance if your Mac maxes out at 60Hz.

Key Takeaways

MacBook Air models support 60Hz on their built-in display, and external displays connected via Thunderbolt will match that limit unless you use a USB-C hub with HDMI output.
MacBook Pro models from 2021 onward with the M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3 Pro, M3 Max, or M4 Pro chips support 120Hz on the built-in ProMotion display and up to 120Hz on external displays via Thunderbolt.
Older MacBook Pro models (2020 and earlier) are limited to 60Hz on both built-in and external displays.
The connection type matters: Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 support higher refresh rates than USB-C alone, and HDMI adapters may reduce the maximum refresh rate your Mac can send.
You can check your Mac's current refresh rate in System Settings under Displays, where the option appears only if your monitor supports it.

Built-in display refresh rates by MacBook model

MacBook Air models, regardless of chip generation, have built-in displays locked at 60Hz. This applies to every MacBook Air currently sold, including the M1, M2, M3, and M4 models. The screen itself is physically limited to this rate, and no software change will increase it.

MacBook Pro models split into two groups. If you own a MacBook Pro from 2020 or earlier (Intel-based or M1 non-Pro), your built-in display runs at 60Hz. Starting with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models released in late 2021, Apple added ProMotion technology, which allows the built-in display to run at up to 120Hz. This includes all M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M4 Pro models. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 or M3 (non-Pro) still uses 60Hz.

The practical difference: a 120Hz display feels smoother when scrolling, dragging windows, and moving the cursor. Most people notice the difference when ready. If you spend hours per day on your Mac, the smoother motion reduces eye strain for some users, though this varies by person.

External display refresh rates and connection types

When you plug an external monitor into your Mac, the refresh rate depends on both the monitor's capability and your Mac's hardware. A MacBook Air or older MacBook Pro will send a maximum of 60Hz to any external display, even if the monitor supports 120Hz or higher. Newer MacBook Pro models (2021 and later with Pro chips) can send up to 120Hz via Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 connections.

The cable and adapter you use matter significantly. A direct Thunderbolt connection to a compatible display will give you the highest refresh rate your Mac supports. USB-C to HDMI adapters, however, often reduce the maximum refresh rate because HDMI has bandwidth limits depending on the HDMI version. A USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter may cap you at 60Hz even if your Mac and monitor both support higher rates. USB-C to DisplayPort adapters typically preserve higher refresh rates better than HDMI adapters.

If you are using a Thunderbolt dock or hub, check whether it passes through the full Thunderbolt bandwidth or reduces it to USB 3 speeds. A hub that downgrades to USB 3 will limit your refresh rate, even if the monitor itself supports more.

How to check your Mac's current refresh rate

Open System Settings and navigate to Displays. If your monitor supports a refresh rate higher than 60Hz, you will see a "Refresh rate" dropdown menu. Click it to see the available options. Your Mac will show only the refresh rates that both your Mac and your current display support together.

If you do not see a refresh rate option at all, your Mac is limited to 60Hz, or your monitor does not support higher rates. This is normal for MacBook Air and older MacBook Pro models. Restarting your Mac sometimes helps if a refresh rate option disappears unexpectedly, as the display connection occasionally needs to re-negotiate with the monitor.

The refresh rate you select takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart. If the screen flickers or looks unstable after changing the rate, your cable or adapter may not support that speed reliably — try a lower rate or a different cable.

Why your Mac might not show higher refresh rates

The most common reason is that your Mac model straightforward does not support it. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from 2020 and earlier are hard-capped at 60Hz. No monitor, cable, or software setting will change this.

The second reason is the connection. If you are using a USB-C hub, a USB-C to HDMI adapter, or an older Thunderbolt 2 dock, the bottleneck is in the adapter, not your Mac. Try connecting the monitor directly to your Mac's Thunderbolt port with a Thunderbolt cable to rule this out.

The third reason is the monitor itself. Some older or budget displays only support 60Hz. Check your monitor's manual or specifications to confirm it supports 120Hz or higher. If it does not, upgrading the monitor is the only solution.

Refresh rate and real-world performance

A higher refresh rate makes motion smoother, but it does not make your Mac faster at processing tasks. A 120Hz display will not speed up file transfers, video rendering, or process launch times. The benefit is purely visual — scrolling web pages, moving windows, and cursor movement feel more fluid.

Gaming and video editing benefit most from higher refresh rates. If you play games on your Mac, a 120Hz display will show smoother gameplay. Video editors working with high-frame-rate footage (60fps or higher) may notice a difference when scrubbing through timelines. For everyday work like email, web browsing, and document editing, the difference is subtle, and many people are happy with 60Hz.

Battery life on MacBook Pro models with ProMotion is not significantly affected. The display adjusts its refresh rate dynamically — it runs at 120Hz when you are actively using it and drops to 60Hz or lower when the content does not need it, such as when reading static text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I force my MacBook Air to display 120Hz?

No. MacBook Air displays are physically built to run at 60Hz only. There is no software setting or external monitor that will change this. If you need 120Hz, you would need to use an external display connected to a newer MacBook Pro with a Pro chip.

Will a USB-C hub reduce my refresh rate?

It depends on the hub. Hubs that support Thunderbolt passthrough will preserve your Mac's full refresh rate capability. Hubs that downgrade to USB 3 speeds will limit you to 60Hz or lower. Check your hub's specifications for "Thunderbolt" or "full bandwidth" support. When in doubt, connect your monitor directly to your Mac's Thunderbolt port.

Do I need 120Hz for video conferencing or streaming?

No. Video conferencing and streaming do not benefit from refresh rates above 60Hz. Your camera and the video stream are limited to 30fps or 60fps, so a 120Hz display will not improve the quality. Save the cost and stick with a 60Hz monitor for these tasks.

What is the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz in everyday use?

Most people notice smoother scrolling and cursor movement with 120Hz, especially when dragging windows or swiping through photos. Some find it reduces eye strain during long work sessions. Others see no practical difference. The best way to know is to try both side by side at a store or borrow a 120Hz display for a day.

Can I use a 240Hz gaming monitor with my Mac?

Your Mac will work with a 240Hz monitor, but it will only send 60Hz (MacBook Air and older MacBook Pro) or 120Hz (newer MacBook Pro with Pro chips). The monitor will display at whatever rate your Mac sends, so you will not see the full 240Hz performance. For gaming on Mac, a 120Hz monitor is the practical maximum.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.