Response time refers to the speed at which a pixel can change color. It’s essentially a measure of how fast the monitor can transition from displaying one image to another. This is typically measured in milliseconds (ms).
Lower response time is generally better: A faster response time means the pixels can switch colors quicker, leading to sharper and more fluid visuals. This is particularly important for fast-paced activities like gaming or watching action movies where rapid movement occurs on screen.
Response time is measured in milliseconds (ms): The lower the ms rating, the faster the pixels can change. A typical LCD monitor might have a response time of around 5ms, while high-performance gaming monitors can have response times as low as 1ms.
Black-to-white-to-black measurement: Many manufacturers specify response time as the time it takes a pixel to go from black to white and then back to black again. This is a common way to measure the overall speed of the pixel transitions.
Not to be confused with refresh rate: While both are important for monitor performance, response time and refresh rate are different things. Refresh rate refers to how often the monitor updates the image on the screen, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate can improve smoothness, but it doesn’t directly affect how quickly pixels change color.