What Is Mouse Polling Rate?
Polling rate (also called report rate) is how many times per second your mouse sends its position to your computer, measured in hertz (Hz). A 1000 Hz mouse reports every millisecond; a 125 Hz mouse only every 8 milliseconds. Between reports the computer has no idea where the mouse is, so a higher polling rate means the cursor follows your hand more closely and with less delay.
The term comes from USB, where the computer “polls” a device at fixed intervals to ask for new data. Most gaming mice let you choose the rate in their software or with a button on the underside.
| Polling rate | Report interval | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 8 ms | Basic office mice, USB default |
| 500 Hz | 2 ms | Budget gaming mice, power-saving modes |
| 1000 Hz | 1 ms | Standard for gaming mice |
| 2000 Hz | 0.5 ms | High-end wireless mice |
| 4000 Hz | 0.25 ms | Esports mice with high-speed receivers |
| 8000 Hz | 0.125 ms | Top-end wired and wireless gaming mice |
How to Test Your Polling Rate
- Press Start test. The cursor is locked to the test area so it can’t escape.
- Move the mouse in fast, continuous circles for 5–10 seconds. Mice only report while moving, so pauses don’t count.
- Press Esc or Stop and read your results.
How to Read Your Results
- Current — the rate over the last tenth of a second. It drops when you slow down; that’s normal.
- Average — reports divided by the time the mouse was actually moving.
- Peak — the highest rate sustained over a full 100 ms window. This is the closest match to your mouse’s configured setting.
- Likely setting — the standard rate (125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 or 8000 Hz) nearest to your peak.
- Jitter — how much the gap between reports varies, in milliseconds. A steady connection has low jitter; large values point to interference, a busy USB controller or a weak wireless signal.
Our test counts reports over time instead of timing single gaps. Browsers round timestamps to about 0.1 ms, which would make a gap-based reading unreliable at 4000–8000 Hz; counting avoids that error.
Why Your Polling Rate May Be Lower than Expected
The Mouse Is in a Power-Saving Mode
Many wireless mice drop to 125–500 Hz on battery saver, or until a high-performance mode is enabled in their software. Check the software, and try with the cable or the receiver close to the mouse.
The USB Port or Hub Is Limiting It
Front-panel ports, unpowered hubs and some monitor USB ports share bandwidth or run at lower speeds. Plug the mouse or its receiver directly into a USB port on the back of your PC. High-speed 4000–8000 Hz receivers often need a port that isn’t shared with other busy devices.
The Setting Didn’t Save
Polling rate is stored either on the mouse or in software that must be running. If the reading falls back to 125 Hz after a restart, the software probably isn’t loading at startup, or the on-board profile wasn’t saved.
Your Browser Groups Events
Chrome and Edge give this test raw, individual reports. Other browsers combine several reports into one event, so they can under-read rates above 1000 Hz.
Polling Rate vs DPI vs Refresh Rate
These three are often confused:
- Polling rate — how often the mouse reports (Hz).
- DPI/CPI — how far the cursor moves for each inch of hand movement.
- Monitor refresh rate — how often your screen draws a new image. A 1000 Hz mouse on a 60 Hz monitor still only shows about 60 updates per second, which is why the benefit of very high polling rates grows with your monitor’s refresh rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Good Mouse Polling Rate?
For everyday work 125–500 Hz is plenty. For gaming, 1000 Hz is the standard and gives a 1 ms report interval. 2000–8000 Hz can feel slightly smoother on high-refresh monitors (240 Hz and above), but the gain is small and it costs more CPU time.
Why Does the Test Show Less than My Mouse's Setting?
Mice only send reports while they move, so slow or interrupted movement lowers the reading. Move in fast, continuous circles. Wireless power-saving modes, USB hubs, front-panel ports and browsers that group pointer events can also lower the result.
Is 8000 Hz Polling Worth It?
Only if your PC and monitor can use it. At 8000 Hz the mouse sends a report every 0.125 ms, which can cause stutter in some games or on slower CPUs. Many players see more benefit from a stable 1000–2000 Hz than from an unstable 8000 Hz.
Does Polling Rate Affect DPI or Sensitivity?
No. DPI controls how far the cursor moves per inch of hand movement; polling rate controls how often that movement is reported. You can change one without affecting the other.
How Accurate Is a Browser Polling Rate Test?
In Chrome and Edge the test reads raw pointer reports and is accurate up to 8000 Hz. Firefox and Safari group events, so readings above 1000 Hz may come out low. The Peak value is the best indicator of your mouse's configured rate.
Related Tests
- CPS Test – Clicks per SecondClick as fast as you can and see your clicks per second. The timer starts on your first click.
- Mouse Double-Click TestSingle-click normally and see whether any press registers twice — the classic sign of a worn mouse switch.
- Mouse DPI AnalyzerSwipe your mouse a known distance and measure its real DPI — not the number printed on the box.
- eDPI CalculatorCombine your mouse DPI and in-game sensitivity into one comparable number, and see how far you move to turn 360°.
- Mouse Button TestClick every button and roll the wheel to confirm each one registers — including the side buttons most tests miss.
Last updated · Part of our mouse tests.