How to Choose the Right Refresh Rate

When you scroll through a webpage and the text feels smooth instead of slightly jumpy, you’re seeing the effect of refresh rate in action. It’s one of those display settings most people don’t think about until they hear someone mention “60 Hz” or “120 Hz” and wonder what that actually means in daily use.

Refresh rate is simply how many times your screen updates the picture every second. It’s measured in hertz (Hz). A 60 Hz display refreshes the image 60 times per second. A 120 Hz display refreshes it 120 times per second. The higher the number, the more often the screen redraws what you see.

Choosing the right refresh rate is less about chasing big numbers and more about matching the setting to how you actually use your device. Once you understand what it affects, the decision becomes straightforward and practical.

What refresh rate really changes on your screen

Refresh rate mainly affects how motion looks. This includes:

• Scrolling through websites and documents
• Moving your mouse pointer across the screen
• Watching videos
• Playing games
• Switching between windows and apps

At lower refresh rates, motion can look slightly less fluid. At higher refresh rates, movement appears smoother and more natural to the eye. Text stays clearer while scrolling, and on-screen actions feel more responsive.

This is why people who spend a lot of time reading, browsing, designing, or gaming often pay attention to this setting.

When people usually adjust this setting

Many devices automatically choose a default refresh rate, often 60 Hz. This works well for general use, but you might want to adjust it if:

• You have a monitor that supports 75 Hz, 120 Hz, or higher
• Scrolling and movement feel slightly choppy to you
• You use your computer for games or fast-moving visuals
• You want the smoothest possible screen experience for daily tasks
• You want to balance smoothness with battery life on a laptop

You don’t have to change this setting, but if your display supports higher rates, using them can noticeably change how the screen feels during normal use.

Understanding common refresh rate numbers

Here’s how typical refresh rates compare in everyday terms:

• 60 Hz – Standard for most monitors and laptops. Comfortable for general work, browsing, and video.
• 75 Hz – Slightly smoother than 60 Hz. A small but visible improvement in scrolling.
• 120 Hz / 144 Hz – Very smooth motion. Often used by people who play games or want a premium viewing feel.
• 240 Hz and above – Mainly for specialized gaming setups.

For most everyday users, the noticeable jump is from 60 Hz to 120 Hz. That’s where scrolling, cursor movement, and animations start to feel much smoother.

How to check what your display supports

Before changing anything, it helps to see what your monitor or laptop screen can actually handle.

1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
2. Select Display settings.
3. Scroll down and click Advanced display.
4. Look for Choose a refresh rate.

This list shows the refresh rates your screen supports. If you only see 60 Hz, that’s the maximum for that display. If you see higher numbers, you can select them.

How to change the refresh rate

Once you know what’s available, adjusting it takes only a moment.

1. Stay in the Advanced display section.
2. Find the dropdown menu for refresh rate.
3. Select a higher number such as 75 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz if available.
4. The screen will briefly adjust and then settle into the new setting.

You’ll immediately notice the difference when you move your mouse or scroll a page.

Choosing based on how you use your computer

For browsing, documents, and general work

If you mostly read, write, browse, and use office apps, 60 Hz is perfectly comfortable. If your display offers 75 Hz or 120 Hz, using it will make scrolling and cursor movement feel smoother, but it’s a preference rather than a necessity.

For watching videos

Most videos are recorded at 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. A 60 Hz display already matches this well. Higher refresh rates don’t change video quality much, but they can make the overall interface feel smoother before and after playback.

For gaming

Higher refresh rates make fast movement appear clearer and more fluid. If you play games, using 120 Hz or higher is usually worthwhile if your monitor supports it.

For laptops and battery life

Higher refresh rates can use more power. On a laptop, you might prefer 60 Hz when on battery and switch to a higher rate when plugged in.

What to expect after increasing the refresh rate

The change is subtle but noticeable. You may observe:

• Smoother scrolling through long pages
• Cleaner-looking motion when moving windows
• A more responsive feel when moving the mouse
• Less visual blur during fast motion

After a short time, your eyes adjust and this smoother look starts to feel normal.

Why higher isn’t always necessary

It’s easy to assume that the highest number is always best, but refresh rate is about comfort and use, not maximum settings. If you don’t notice a difference between 60 Hz and 75 Hz, there’s no need to change it. If 120 Hz feels noticeably smoother and you like it, that’s a good reason to keep it.

This setting is personal. It’s about how the screen feels to you during daily tasks.

Where this fits into overall display setup

Refresh rate is just one part of how your screen behaves. It works alongside resolution, scaling, and brightness to create a comfortable viewing experience. If you want to understand how these pieces work together, you can explore the broader guide on display and graphics optimization basics.

Once you know what refresh rate does and how to adjust it, you can confidently choose the setting that matches how you use your computer. It’s a small change that can make everyday screen time feel noticeably smoother and more pleasant.