Response time determines how quickly pixels can change colors, directly affecting motion clarity in games. But manufacturer specs are often misleading—a "1ms" monitor might perform worse than a "4ms" one. This guide explains what the numbers really mean and how to test monitors yourself.
Recommended Products
Based on our testing, here are some top picks:
LG 32GN650-B Ultragear Gaming Monitor -
ASUS ROG Swift OLED 27" Gaming Monitor -
$799.00
Samsung Odyssey G7 Gaming Monitor -
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K Monitor -
$612.99
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
⚡ Quick Facts
OLED monitors have true 0.03ms response times. Fast IPS panels achieve 1-3ms. VA panels range from 4-8ms. These differences are visible in fast-paced games.
🎯 What Is Response Time?
Response time measures how long it takes a pixel to change from one color to another. Slower response times cause motion blur and ghosting—trails behind moving objects.
The Full Picture
Response Time
Pixel transition speed
Input Lag
Button-to-screen delay
These are different metrics! A monitor can have fast response but slow input lag, or vice versa.
📊 GtG vs MPRT
GtG (Gray-to-Gray)
Time for pixels to change between gray shades. Most common spec.
- • Measures actual pixel transition
- • Doesn't include persistence
- • Often cherry-picked best-case
- • OLED: ~0.03ms, Fast IPS: ~1-3ms
MPRT (Motion Picture Response Time)
Perceived blur during motion. More relevant to real use.
- • Includes sample-and-hold blur
- • Affected by refresh rate
- • Better real-world indicator
- • Often reduced with backlight strobing
⚠️ Marketing vs Reality
A monitor advertised as "1ms GtG" may have 5-8ms average response time across all transitions. Always check independent reviews with actual measurements.
⚡ Overdrive Settings
Overdrive applies extra voltage to push pixels faster. Too little = ghosting. Too much = inverse ghosting (overshoot).
Too Low
Dark trails behind objects
Smearing/ghosting
Optimal
Clean motion, minimal artifacts
Usually "Normal" or "Fast"
Too High
Bright halos/coronas
Inverse ghosting
💡 Finding Optimal Overdrive
- 1. Use UFO Ghosting Test (testufo.com)
- 2. Start at lowest overdrive setting
- 3. Increase until ghosting minimizes
- 4. Stop before you see bright inverse trails
- 5. Re-test at different refresh rates (VRR changes things)
📺 Panel Type Comparison
| Panel | Typical GtG | Motion Clarity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLED | 0.03ms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Competitive gaming |
| Fast IPS | 1-3ms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Gaming + productivity |
| Standard IPS | 4-6ms | ⭐⭐⭐ | General use |
| VA | 4-8ms | ⭐⭐⭐ | Contrast/movies |
| TN | 1-2ms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Esports (legacy) |
🧪 How to Test Response Time
2. Pursuit Camera Test
Track the moving object with your eyes/camera to see actual pixel response vs persistence blur.
3. In-Game Testing
Fast-paced games like CS2, Valorant, or racing games reveal motion blur. Pan camera quickly and look for smearing.