Formula
Frame time (ms) = 1,000 ÷ FPS, and FPS = 1,000 ÷ frame time.
Example
At 144 FPS each frame takes 6.94 ms. At 60 FPS it takes 16.67 ms, and at 240 FPS only 4.17 ms.
Why frame time matters
Average FPS hides stutters. A game that averages 100 FPS but has frames of 40 ms feels choppy. Benchmarks often show the “1% low” for this reason. Going from 30 to 60 FPS saves 16.7 ms per frame, while going from 144 to 240 FPS saves less than 3 ms.
When the FPS is below the monitor’s refresh rate, some refreshes repeat the previous frame. VRR technologies (G-Sync, FreeSync) adjust the monitor to the game to avoid tearing.
Frequently asked questions
Is more FPS than Hz useless?
Not entirely: extra frames lower input lag, even though the screen cannot show all of them.
What is a good frame time?
Steady values matter more than the number. A flat line at 16.7 ms (60 FPS) feels better than one jumping between 8 and 30 ms.
See also
Results are estimates for information only and are not financial, legal or medical advice. Rates, taxes and fees vary — confirm with a professional or your lender.