How to take the reaction test
- Press Start test. The panel turns red.
- Wait. The panel turns green after a random pause of about 1.5 to 5 seconds.
- Click, tap or press Space as soon as you see green. Your time for that try appears on the panel.
- Do this five times. Your score is the average of the five tries.
If you respond while the panel is still red, that try is cancelled and you repeat it. Going early costs you nothing except the repeat, and it earns you nothing either.
How to read your result
The score is in milliseconds (ms). There are 1,000 ms in a second, so 250 ms is a quarter of a second. Lower means faster.
| Your average | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under 200 ms | Exceptional |
| 200 to 229 ms | Fast |
| 230 to 259 ms | Above average |
| 260 to 299 ms | Average |
| 300 to 359 ms | Below average |
| 360 ms or more | Slow |
Most people land between 250 and 300 ms on an online test, so a result in the average row is exactly what the name says.
Why the score is an average
One reaction on its own is noisy. Even when you are concentrating, one try can differ from the next by 30 ms or more. Five tries smooth that out.
For more certainty, take the test two or three times. The Your scores panel keeps your results in this browser and shows your best, your average and how many attempts you have made.
What the number includes
The timer runs from the green panel to your input, and that span includes delay from your equipment. Screens and input devices typically add 20 to 50 ms. This is why online scores are higher than the 200 to 250 ms reported in lab studies of young adults. It is also why a score from your phone should not be set against one from your desktop.
Your state matters as well. Sleep loss slows reactions, so a score taken when you are tired is not your real level.
Where to go next
To see how your result compares with other people, read about the average reaction time. For a version with racing start lights, try the F1 reaction time test. The main reaction time test page has the full guide.