Convert between FPS and frame time (ms), analyze frame rate consistency, and optimize your gaming performance. Essential tool for competitive gamers looking to eliminate stuttering and reduce input lag.
Enter your frames per second (FPS) to calculate the time it takes to render each frame in milliseconds. Lower frame times mean smoother gameplay and less input lag.
Recommended FPS and frame time targets for optimal performance across different game genres
Frame time measures how long your graphics card takes to render a single frame, expressed in milliseconds. Unlike FPS which counts frames over a full second, frame time shows the instantaneous rendering duration for each individual frame. This metric is calculated as 1000 milliseconds divided by your current FPS.
For example, at 60 FPS, each frame takes 16.67 milliseconds to render. At 144 FPS, each frame takes 6.94 milliseconds. Lower frame times mean your system renders frames faster, resulting in smoother motion, reduced input lag, and better responsiveness in competitive gaming scenarios.
While average FPS gives you a general performance number, it hides critical information about your actual gaming experience. Frame time reveals the consistency of frame delivery, which is what you actually perceive during gameplay. A game might average 60 FPS, but if some frames take 10ms while others take 40ms, you will experience severe stuttering despite the acceptable average.
Frame time analysis exposes stuttering, frame pacing issues, and performance inconsistencies that average FPS conceals. Professional gamers and reviewers focus on metrics like 1 percent low and 0.1 percent low frame times because these reveal worst-case performance drops that ruin competitive gameplay. Consistent 16.67ms frame times at 60 FPS provide a dramatically better experience than fluctuating frame times that average to 60 FPS.
Frame time directly determines input lag - the delay between performing an action and seeing its result on screen. Each frame adds latency equal to its rendering time. At 60 FPS with 16.67ms frame times, your base input lag starts at roughly 50-80ms when including display refresh and processing delays.
Reducing frame time by increasing FPS dramatically cuts input lag. At 240 FPS (4.17ms frame time), total input lag drops to approximately 20-35ms. This 40-50ms reduction gives competitive gamers a significant advantage in reaction-dependent scenarios like flick shots in first-person shooters. Technologies like NVIDIA Reflex further optimize frame delivery timing to minimize input lag beyond what raw FPS improvements provide.
Frame time variance measures the difference between your fastest and slowest frames. High variance indicates stuttering issues that make games feel choppy and unresponsive. Excellent performance shows frame time variance under 5 percent of average, while variance above 20 percent causes obvious stuttering.
Common causes of poor frame time consistency include CPU bottlenecks, insufficient VRAM, thermal throttling, background processes, and poorly optimized games. Monitoring tools like MSI Afterburner, CapFrameX, and NVIDIA FrameView display real-time frame time graphs that reveal these issues. Addressing consistency problems often improves gaming experience more dramatically than simply increasing average FPS.
Quick reference guide for common frame rates and their corresponding frame times
| FPS | Frame Time | Use Case | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360 FPS | 2.78ms | Pro Esports | Ultimate |
| 240 FPS | 4.17ms | Competitive FPS | Excellent |
| 165 FPS | 6.06ms | High-End Gaming | Very Good |
| 144 FPS | 6.94ms | Competitive Standard | Great |
| 120 FPS | 8.33ms | High Refresh | Good |
| 90 FPS | 11.11ms | VR Minimum | Acceptable |
| 75 FPS | 13.33ms | Entry Gaming | Moderate |
| 60 FPS | 16.67ms | Standard Gaming | Playable |
| 30 FPS | 33.33ms | Console Standard | Minimum |