Average reaction time
About 231 ms in the lab, 273 ms online. Here is where the difference comes from, and where you stand: take the test.
Reaction time reference values
| Measure | ms | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Detecting the signal alone (no movement) | 131 | Woods et al., 2015 |
| Youngest group, calibrated lab test | 217.8 | Woods et al., 2015 |
| All 1,469 adults aged 18 to 65, lab test | 231 | Woods et al., 2015 |
| Oldest group, calibrated lab test | 239.1 | Woods et al., 2015 |
| Online test median, device delay included | 273 | Human Benchmark |
| False start limit in sprinting | 100 | World Athletics TR 16.6 |
Average reaction time by age
Simple reaction time slows by about 0.55 ms per year between 18 and 65, with no effect of sex or education. The slowing is in the movement, not in seeing: detection time stayed at about 131 ms at every age.
What your screen adds
| Screen | One frame (ms) |
|---|---|
| 60 Hz | 16.7 |
| 120 Hz | 8.3 |
| 144 Hz | 6.9 |
| 240 Hz | 4.2 |
The signal can only appear on the next frame, so a faster screen shaves a few milliseconds. Online results also include your browser and your mouse or touch screen: the median on Human Benchmark is 273 ms.
Reaction time in sport
In sprinting, a start under 100 ms is treated as a guess: the start system flags it as a possible false start (World Athletics TR 16.6). Try the real starts: F1, MotoGP, 100 m sprint.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average human reaction time?
About 231 ms for a simple visual signal, measured on 1,469 adults aged 18 to 65 with calibrated hardware (Woods et al., 2015). Online tests read slower because your screen and input add delay: Human Benchmark's median is 273 ms.
What is the average reaction time by age?
It rises slowly: about 0.55 ms per year of age in Woods et al. (2015). Their youngest group averaged 217.8 ms and their oldest 239.1 ms, a gap of about 21 ms.
How much does my screen add?
Up to one frame before the signal can appear: 16.7 ms at 60 Hz, 8.3 ms at 120 Hz. Touch screens and wireless mice add their own delay on top. Compare yourself on the same device.
How much do my times vary from one try to the next?
A lot: the mean spread within one person was 40 ms in Woods et al. (2015). That is why the tests here average five starts.