Mouse Latency Test
Click repeatedly to measure how long it takes your click to reach the screen. The tool samples the delay between each click and the next rendered frame.
What Is Mouse Latency?
Mouse latency is the total time between a physical movement or click and the moment that action registers on screen. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) and encompasses every step in the signal chain - from the sensor reading the movement, to the USB or wireless transmission, to the operating system processing the input, and finally to the frame rendering on your monitor. Even a delay of 10 to 20ms can feel perceptible to trained players, and at high skill levels it represents the difference between landing a shot and missing entirely.
This is not the same as display latency or network ping. Mouse input lag is a hardware and system-level measurement that exists independently of your internet connection.
How the Mouse Latency Test Works
The test on this page measures the delay between each click you make and the next frame your browser renders. Click repeatedly in the test area and the tool builds a running sample of click-to-screen delays, then reports your average, best, and peak values. By running many samples and averaging the results, the tool filters out one-off spikes to show the consistent portion of delay in your hardware and system chain.
For the most accurate results, close background applications that consume CPU resources, use a wired connection rather than wireless, and collect at least 20 to 30 samples to establish a stable average.
What Affects Mouse Latency?
Several variables contribute to the final latency figure. Polling rate is the most commonly cited factor - it determines how many times per second the mouse reports its position to the computer. A 125 Hz polling rate means a report every 8ms, while 1000 Hz reduces that interval to 1ms. High-end mice now offer 4000 Hz and 8000 Hz polling, though the returns diminish rapidly beyond 1000 Hz for most use cases. You can check your own mouse with the polling rate checker.
Driver software and Windows USB settings play a role as well. Many competitive players disable USB selective suspend and adjust power management settings to prevent the operating system from throttling USB device polling to save energy.
Good vs. Bad Latency Numbers
For general desktop use, any latency under 20ms is imperceptible and entirely sufficient. For competitive gaming, most players aim for under 10ms of system-level mouse latency. Top-tier gaming mice paired with a 1000 Hz polling rate and a wired connection typically land between 2ms and 8ms in controlled testing.
If your results are consistently above 15 to 20ms, it is worth investigating your polling rate settings, checking whether USB power management is throttling the device, or testing with a different cable and port. Your monitor matters too - run the refresh rate test and FPS test to rule out display-side delay.
How to Improve Your Mouse Latency
The most impactful steps are straightforward. First, set your mouse polling rate to 1000 Hz if it is not already - this setting is available in most gaming mouse software suites. Second, plug the mouse directly into a rear motherboard USB port rather than a front panel connector or USB hub. Third, update your mouse firmware through the manufacturer's software.
For system-level tuning, disabling USB selective suspend in Windows power settings prevents the OS from reducing polling frequency during periods of low detected activity. If you suspect your keyboard adds delay as well, the keyboard latency test runs the same style of measurement for key presses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good mouse latency score?
For competitive gaming, a latency below 10ms is considered excellent. Under 5ms is exceptional and typically requires a wired gaming mouse set to 1000 Hz or higher polling. For everyday desktop use, anything under 20ms will feel completely responsive.
Does wireless mouse latency affect gaming?
It can, but modern high-end wireless gaming mice have reduced their latency to within 1 to 2ms of wired equivalents. Budget wireless mice often show higher and less consistent latency figures.
Is mouse latency the same as ping?
No. Ping measures the round-trip time between your computer and a game server over a network. Mouse latency measures the time between a physical input and its registration on the local system.
How does polling rate affect mouse latency?
Polling rate sets the maximum frequency at which the mouse reports position data. At 125 Hz, a report arrives every 8ms. At 1000 Hz, every 1ms. Higher polling rate reduces the upper bound on input latency. Measure yours with the mouse polling rate checker.
Can I reduce mouse latency without buying new hardware?
Yes. Setting the correct polling rate, disabling USB selective suspend in Windows, using a direct motherboard USB port, and keeping drivers updated can all reduce latency without any hardware purchase.