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Input Lag Test

Click when the screen flashes to measure click-to-visual latency. Run 10 trials for an average input lag estimate.

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What is monitor input lag?

Input lag is the delay between a user action (mouse click, keystroke) and a visible change on the monitor. It combines signal processing in the display, monitor electronics, and the system render pipeline. Most gaming monitors target 1-5ms input lag; budget and TV panels can reach 20-100ms.

Input lag vs response time

These are often confused. Response time (GtG, MPRT) is how fast a pixel changes color — it affects ghosting. Input lag is how fast the monitor displays the signal it receives after processing it. A monitor can have fast GtG but high input lag due to extensive image processing.

How to reduce input lag

  • Enable Game Mode in your monitor OSD — disables post-processing
  • Set display to native resolution — scaling adds latency
  • Use DisplayPort over HDMI where possible
  • Disable HDR in Windows if not needed — HDR pipeline adds processing
  • Use high refresh rate — each frame has a shorter display window
  • Enable VRR / G-Sync / FreeSync for consistent frame pacing

Typical input lag by display type

  • Gaming monitors (Game Mode on): 1–5 ms
  • IPS monitors (no Game Mode): 5–15 ms
  • Budget LCD: 15–40 ms
  • TVs with Game Mode: 8–15 ms
  • TVs without Game Mode: 60–150 ms

Note: browser-based tests include human reaction time and system latency. For hardware-accurate input lag, use a Leo Bodnar meter or HDMI latency tester. This tool gives a relative comparison between sessions.

Also try our Reaction Time Test and What Is Input Lag guide.