The fastest way to see your frame rate right now

Your frame rate is the number of images your graphics card displays per second, measured in frames per second (fps). The easiest way to check it depends on what you're doing: if you're playing a game, use the overlay built into your graphics driver; if you want a general measurement, use a free tool like MSI Afterburner or NVIDIA's own software.

For NVIDIA graphics cards, press Alt+Z while in a game to open GeForce Experience, then enable the FPS counter in settings. For AMD graphics cards, right-click on your desktop, select AMD Radeon Settings, go to Global Settings, and turn on the Performance Overlay. For Intel integrated graphics, use the Intel Arc Control app if you have Arc graphics, or read a third-party tool like MSI Afterburner, which works with any card.

Key Takeaways

  • NVIDIA cards show FPS through GeForce Experience overlay (Alt+Z in-game); AMD cards use the Radeon Settings overlay; Intel users need a third-party tool like MSI Afterburner.
  • MSI Afterburner works on any graphics card and displays frame rate, GPU temperature, and memory usage in a customizable overlay.
  • Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in Game Bar (Win+G) that shows frame rate, but only works in games running in fullscreen or borderless windowed mode.
  • Frame rate varies by game, resolution, and graphics settings—the same computer will show different fps in different games.
  • A stable frame rate matters more than a high one; 60 fps steady is better than 100 fps with drops to 40.

Using your graphics driver's built-in overlay

Every major graphics card manufacturer includes frame rate monitoring in their driver software. This is the most direct method because the overlay sits on top of your game and updates in real time.

NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Launch any game and press Alt+Z to open the overlay menu. Click the Settings icon (gear), then Performance. Toggle the FPS counter on and choose where it appears on your screen (top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right). The counter stays visible until you close the overlay. If Alt+Z doesn't work, make sure GeForce Experience is installed and running in the background.

AMD Radeon Settings: Right-click your desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings. Go to Global Settings, then Performance. Find the Performance Overlay toggle and turn it on. The overlay appears in the top-left corner by default and shows fps, GPU load, temperature, and memory use. You can move it by dragging or customize what appears in the overlay settings.

Intel Arc Control: If you have an Intel Arc graphics card, open Intel Arc Control from your Start menu. Go to Performance Monitoring and enable the overlay. The counter appears during gameplay. Intel integrated graphics (like Iris Xe) do not have a built-in overlay; you'll need a third-party tool instead.

MSI Afterburner for any graphics card

MSI Afterburner is a free tool that works with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel cards. It displays frame rate, GPU temperature, memory usage, and power draw in a customizable overlay. read it from the MSI website (search "MSI Afterburner read") and install it.

After installation, open Afterburner and look for the Settings icon (gear). Click it, then go to the Monitoring tab. Scroll down the list on the left until you find "Framerate" and click it. Check the box next to "Show in On-Screen Display" on the right side. Click OK to save. Now launch a game—the frame rate counter appears in the top-left corner by default.

You can move the overlay by clicking and dragging it, or customize its position in Afterburner's settings. Afterburner also lets you monitor GPU temperature and memory use at the same time, which is useful if you're testing whether your computer is overheating or running out of memory.

Windows Game Bar for quick checks

Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in Game Bar that shows frame rate without installing anything. Press Win+G while a game is running to open it. Click the Performance widget (it looks like a graph) and the fps counter appears on your screen.

Game Bar works only in fullscreen or borderless windowed mode—it won't set up in windowed mode. If Win+G doesn't open the Game Bar, go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and make sure it's turned on. The overlay is simpler than Afterburner and shows only frame rate by default, though you can add other metrics like GPU and CPU usage.

What your frame rate number actually means

Frame rate is how many still images your graphics card draws per second. A higher number means smoother motion, but the benefit levels off. Most people notice a difference between 30 fps and 60 fps, and between 60 fps and 144 fps, but the jump from 144 to 240 is less noticeable unless you're playing a fast competitive game.

Your monitor's refresh rate limits how many fps you can actually see. A 60 Hz monitor displays a maximum of 60 fps, even if your graphics card produces 200 fps—the extra frames are wasted. A 144 Hz monitor can show up to 144 fps. Matching your frame rate to your monitor's refresh rate (or keeping it slightly below) gives the smoothest experience and prevents screen tearing, a visual glitch where the image tears horizontally.

Frame rate also varies by game and settings. The same computer might run one game at 120 fps on high settings and another at 60 fps on ultra settings. Resolution, graphics quality, and the game's engine all affect the number. Testing frame rate in different games tells you what your computer can actually handle.

Common reasons frame rate drops or stays low

If your frame rate is lower than expected, check these common causes. First, make sure you're measuring in the right place—frame rate in a menu or loading screen is often much higher than in actual gameplay. Second, check your graphics settings. Turning down resolution, shadow quality, or ray tracing can double your frame rate. Third, close background programs like Chrome, Discord, or streaming software, which consume GPU or CPU power.

Temperature is another culprit. If your GPU temperature is above 80°C, thermal throttling may be slowing it down. Check this in MSI Afterburner or your driver's overlay. Dust buildup in your computer's fans reduces cooling; cleaning the fans and vents can help. Finally, make sure your monitor is plugged into your graphics card, not your motherboard. Many computers have both, and plugging into the wrong one can cut your frame rate dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my frame rate show different numbers in different games?

Frame rate depends on the game's engine, graphics settings, and resolution. A newer game with ray tracing enabled will produce lower fps than an older, simpler game on the same computer. Lowering resolution, shadow quality, or texture detail increases frame rate. Testing in the same game with the same settings gives you a fair comparison.

Is 60 fps good enough?

For most games and everyday use, 60 fps is smooth and comfortable. Competitive games like shooters benefit from higher frame rates (120+ fps) because faster motion is easier to track. Your monitor's refresh rate matters too—a 60 Hz monitor can't display more than 60 fps, so pushing for 200 fps is pointless unless you upgrade the monitor.

Can I check frame rate on a laptop?

Yes, the same methods work on laptops. Use your graphics driver's overlay (GeForce Experience for NVIDIA, Radeon Settings for AMD) or MSI Afterburner. Laptops often have lower frame rates than desktops because they generate more heat in a smaller space and thermal throttle sooner. Check your GPU temperature while gaming—if it's above 85°C, your laptop may be throttling.

What if my frame rate counter won't show up?

Make sure the game is running in fullscreen or borderless windowed mode, not windowed mode. Restart the overlay software (close and reopen GeForce Experience, Radeon Settings, or Afterburner). If you're using Game Bar, check that it's enabled in Windows Settings. Try a different overlay tool—if MSI Afterburner works but GeForce Experience doesn't, the problem is with that specific software, not your graphics card.

Does higher frame rate use more electricity?

Yes, higher frame rates require your GPU to work harder, which uses more power and generates more heat. If your computer is plugged in, this usually isn't a problem. On a laptop running on battery, higher frame rates drain the battery faster. Capping your frame rate at your monitor's refresh rate (using V-Sync or a frame rate limiter) saves power without sacrificing smoothness.