The fastest way to check frame rate depends on what you're running

Frame rate — the number of frames your graphics card displays per second — matters most when you're gaming or running graphics-heavy software. The easiest method is built into Windows itself: press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar overlay, then enable the performance widget to see real-time frame rate, GPU use, and CPU load without leaving your game.

If Game Bar doesn't work or you want more detail, your graphics card manufacturer provides its own overlay. NVIDIA users can enable the FPS counter through GeForce Experience or by pressing Alt + Z in-game. AMD users can press Ctrl + Shift + O to toggle the Radeon overlay. Intel Arc users access the overlay through Arc Control software. Each shows frame rate in a corner of your screen while you play.

For applications outside games — video editing, 3D rendering, streaming software — the method changes depending on the program. Some have built-in frame counters in their settings or status bar. Others require a third-party tool like MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO, which overlay system stats on top of any window.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Game Bar (Windows key + G) shows frame rate, GPU use, and CPU load in real time without installing anything extra.
  • NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel each provide their own overlay tools that display frame rate directly in games — NVIDIA uses Alt + Z, AMD uses Ctrl + Shift + O.
  • Third-party tools like MSI Afterburner and HWiNFO work with any game or process and show detailed hardware stats alongside frame rate.
  • Frame rate varies by game, graphics settings, and hardware — checking it while you play tells you whether your PC can handle your current setup.

Using Windows Game Bar for frame rate

Game Bar is the simplest option because it comes with Windows 10 and 11 and requires no read. Press Windows key + G while a game or full-screen process is running. A menu bar appears at the top of the screen with several widgets you can toggle on and off.

Look for the performance widget — it shows a small graph or number display. Click it to expand the performance panel, which displays frame rate in the top left corner of your screen. The same panel also shows GPU percentage, CPU percentage, RAM use, and GPU temperature, all updating in real time. You can move the widget around by dragging it, or close it when you're done.

Game Bar works with most games and DirectX 12 applications. It does not work with older games using DirectX 9 or 10, and it may not work in full-screen exclusive mode on some older titles. If Game Bar does not appear when you press the hotkey, the process may not support it — try one of the manufacturer overlays instead.

NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel overlay tools

Graphics card manufacturers built overlays directly into their driver software so you can see frame rate without relying on Windows. These overlays are more reliable in older games and full-screen applications than Game Bar.

NVIDIA users can press Alt + Z in any game to open the GeForce Experience overlay, then enable the FPS counter in the settings. Alternatively, right-click on your desktop, select NVIDIA Control Panel, go to 3D Settings, and turn on the performance overlay — this shows frame rate in a fixed corner without opening a menu. You need GeForce Experience installed, which is free from NVIDIA's website.

AMD users press Ctrl + Shift + O to toggle the Radeon overlay in-game. The overlay shows frame rate and other stats when ready. If this hotkey does not work, open Radeon Settings from your system tray, go to Global Settings, and enable the overlay there. AMD includes this tool with all driver updates, so no separate read is needed.

Intel Arc users open Arc Control from the system tray or Start menu, navigate to Performance, and enable the overlay. Press the hotkey shown in Arc Control settings to display frame rate in-game. Intel Arc Control is free and comes with Arc GPU drivers.

Third-party tools for detailed frame rate monitoring

If you want frame rate data across multiple applications, or if your graphics card overlay is not working, third-party monitoring software gives you more control. MSI Afterburner is free and works with any graphics card — NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. It displays frame rate, GPU temperature, clock speed, power draw, and CPU stats in an overlay that works in games, streaming software, and video editors.

read MSI Afterburner from the MSI website. Install it, then open the settings (the gear icon). Go to the Monitoring tab, find FPS in the list, and check the box next to it. Enable "Show in On-Screen Display" so the frame rate appears while you work. You can customize the position, size, and refresh rate of the overlay.

HWiNFO is another free option that shows even more detail — frame rate, GPU load, memory bandwidth, power consumption, and thermal data. read it from the HWiNFO website, run it, and check the "Show in OSD" box next to FPS. HWiNFO is heavier on system resources than Afterburner but gives you more granular information if you are troubleshooting performance problems.

Both tools work in full-screen games and applications, and both let you log frame rate data to a file so you can review performance over time. This is useful if you are testing different graphics settings or drivers to see which combination gives you the best frame rate.

What frame rate numbers mean for your setup

Frame rate is measured in frames per second, or FPS. Higher is smoother — 60 FPS is the standard for smooth gameplay on most monitors, 144 FPS is common for competitive gaming, and 240 FPS or higher is used by professional esports players. Below 30 FPS, motion looks choppy and input lag becomes noticeable.

Your frame rate depends on three things: the game or process, your graphics settings, and your hardware. The same game can run at 100 FPS on one PC and 40 FPS on another. Lowering graphics settings — resolution, shadow quality, texture detail, ray tracing — increases frame rate. Upgrading your GPU or CPU also increases it.

Check frame rate while you play to see whether your current setup matches your monitor's refresh rate. If your monitor refreshes at 60 Hz but your game runs at 120 FPS, you will not see the extra frames — they are wasted. If your game runs at 45 FPS on a 60 Hz monitor, you will see stuttering. Matching frame rate to monitor refresh rate, or enabling V-Sync to cap frame rate at your monitor's maximum, gives the smoothest experience.

Troubleshooting when frame rate display does not appear

If you press the hotkey and the frame rate overlay does not show, the process may not support overlays. Some games disable overlays for anti-cheat reasons — games like Valorant, Fortnite, and some competitive titles block third-party overlays entirely. In these cases, you may only be able to use the in-game frame rate counter if the game provides one.

Check the game's settings menu first — many modern games have a built-in FPS counter you can enable without any overlay. Look under Graphics, Performance, or Display settings. If the game has no built-in counter and overlays are blocked, you cannot display frame rate while playing that specific game, but you can still check it in other applications.

If overlays are blocked in a game you own, try launching it in windowed or borderless windowed mode instead of full-screen exclusive mode. Some overlays work in windowed modes even when they fail in full-screen. You can also check your graphics driver version — outdated drivers sometimes break overlay functionality. Update your driver through GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Settings, or Intel Arc Control, then restart your PC and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my frame rate lower in one game than another?

Different games demand different amounts of GPU and CPU power. A straightforward 2D game may run at 500 FPS, while a new AAA title with ray tracing might run at 60 FPS on the same PC. Graphics settings also matter — lowering resolution, shadows, and texture quality increases frame rate. Your frame rate also drops if your PC is running other programs in the background.

Does higher frame rate use more electricity?

Yes, higher frame rate means your GPU works harder and uses more power. Capping your frame rate at your monitor's refresh rate (usually 60 Hz) saves power and reduces heat compared to letting your GPU run at maximum speed. You can enable V-Sync in your graphics settings or in-game to automatically cap frame rate.

Can I check frame rate on a laptop?

Yes, the same methods work on laptops. Press Windows key + G for Game Bar, or use your graphics card's overlay — most gaming laptops use NVIDIA or AMD GPUs. Laptop frame rates are usually lower than desktop PCs because laptops have less cooling and smaller GPUs, but you can still monitor performance the same way.

What if my frame rate keeps dropping during gameplay?

Dropping frame rate usually means your GPU or CPU is overheating, or another program is using system resources. Check your GPU and CPU temperature in MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO — if either is above 85°C, your PC is throttling performance to cool down. Close background programs, clean dust from your PC's fans, or improve airflow around your case. If temperatures are normal, try lowering graphics settings.

Is 60 FPS enough for gaming?

60 FPS is smooth for most games and matches the refresh rate of standard monitors. Competitive games like shooters feel more responsive at 144 FPS or higher, but 60 FPS is perfectly playable for story-driven games, strategy games, and most other genres. Your monitor's refresh rate matters more than the frame rate number itself — a 60 Hz monitor cannot display more than 60 FPS anyway.