FPS Calculator
Convert between FPS and frame time in milliseconds. Compare common frame rates with a visual chart and reference table.
About FPS Calculator
FPS (frames per second) and frame time (milliseconds per frame) are inversely related: Frame Time = 1000 / FPS. This calculator converts between the two instantly, with a visual comparison against standard frame rates. All calculations run in your browser.
Common Frame Rates Reference
| FPS | Frame Time | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 41.67 ms | Cinema, film | Industry standard for movies since the 1920s |
| 30 | 33.33 ms | TV, console gaming (some titles) | Common for TV broadcast (NTSC: 29.97) |
| 60 | 16.67 ms | Standard gaming, most monitors | The baseline for smooth gameplay |
| 120 | 8.33 ms | High refresh rate gaming | Noticeably smoother than 60 FPS, especially in fast games |
| 144 | 6.94 ms | Gaming monitors (popular) | The most common high-refresh gaming monitor rate |
| 240 | 4.17 ms | Competitive gaming | Diminishing returns for most players above 144 |
| 360 | 2.78 ms | eSports | Top-tier competitive advantage in twitch shooters |
FPS vs Refresh Rate
| Concept | What It Is | Measured In | Controlled By |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPS | How many frames the GPU renders per second | Frames per second (FPS) | GPU power, game settings, CPU |
| Refresh rate | How many times the monitor updates per second | Hertz (Hz) | Monitor hardware |
A 144 Hz monitor can display up to 144 frames per second, but your GPU still needs to produce those frames. If your GPU only outputs 60 FPS on a 144 Hz monitor, you only see 60 unique frames per second. Technologies like G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) synchronise the two to prevent screen tearing.
Higher FPS and Input Lag
| FPS | Max Frame Age | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 30 FPS | 33.33 ms | Noticeable input delay in fast games |
| 60 FPS | 16.67 ms | Acceptable for most players |
| 144 FPS | 6.94 ms | Very responsive - competitive advantage in shooters |
| 240 FPS | 4.17 ms | Near-instant response - marginal gains for most people |
At higher FPS, each frame is rendered more recently, so the image on screen is closer to the current game state. This is why professional eSports players prioritise frame rate over visual quality.
Frame Pacing and 1% Lows
Average FPS is only part of the picture. Frame pacing (consistency of frame delivery) matters more for perceived smoothness:
| Metric | What It Measures | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | Total frames / total time | General performance level, but hides stutters |
| 1% low FPS | The worst 1% of frame times | Shows how bad the worst stutters are |
| 0.1% low FPS | The worst 0.1% of frame times | Captures the most severe micro-stutters |
| Frame time consistency | Standard deviation of frame times | Low variance = smooth, high variance = stuttery |
A game running at a steady 55 FPS with consistent frame times often feels smoother than one averaging 80 FPS with frequent drops to 30 FPS.
For monitor-related calculations, the monitor size calculator works out viewing distance and PPI. To estimate video file sizes at different frame rates, the bitrate calculator handles that. All calculations run in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate frame time from FPS?
Divide 1,000 by the FPS value. For example, 60 FPS gives a frame time of 1000 / 60 = 16.67 milliseconds per frame.
What FPS do I need for smooth gameplay?
Most players find 60 FPS smooth enough for casual gaming. Competitive players prefer 144 FPS or higher because the shorter frame times make input feel more responsive. Going from 60 to 144 FPS cuts frame time from 16.67 ms to 6.94 ms.
Why does my game feel choppy even at 60 FPS?
Average FPS can be misleading. If some frames take much longer than others, you get stutter even at high averages. Check your 1% low FPS to see how the slowest frames perform. Consistent frame pacing matters more than a high average.
What is the difference between FPS and refresh rate?
FPS is how many frames your GPU renders per second. Refresh rate (measured in Hz) is how many times your monitor updates per second. A 144 Hz monitor can display up to 144 frames per second, but your GPU still needs to produce them. Technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync synchronise the two.
Does higher FPS reduce input lag?
Yes. Higher FPS means each frame is rendered more recently, so the image you see is closer to the current game state. At 60 FPS, each frame is up to 16.67 ms old. At 240 FPS, that drops to 4.17 ms, which makes a noticeable difference in fast-paced games.
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