What is a reaction time test?
A reaction time test measures how quickly you respond to a visual stimulus — in this case, the screen changing from red to green. The result is captured in milliseconds (ms): the lower the number, the faster your reflexes.
Visual reaction time involves three steps: your eyes detect the stimulus, the signal travels to your brain, and your brain sends a motor command to your finger. This entire chain typically takes 150–400ms depending on the individual.
What's a good reaction time?
Here's how your average across 5 attempts compares to the general population:
| Average | Rating | Population |
|---|---|---|
| < 150ms | ⚡ Superhuman | top 0.1% |
| 150–200ms | 🚀 Elite | top 1% |
| 200–250ms | 🔥 Excellent | top 10% |
| 250–300ms | ✅ Above Average | top 30% |
| 300–350ms | 😊 Average | middle 40% |
| 350–400ms | 🐌 Below Average | bottom 30% |
| > 400ms | 😴 Slow | bottom 15% |
What affects your reaction time?
Age — Reaction speed peaks between 18 and 24, then gradually increases by roughly 10–15ms per decade. A 50-year-old will typically be 50–80ms slower than they were at 20.
Fatigue and sleep — Being tired can slow your reaction time by 30–50ms or more, comparable to a blood alcohol level of 0.08%. A well-rested brain processes signals significantly faster.
Caffeine — Moderate caffeine intake (1–2 cups of coffee) can reduce reaction time by 10–20ms. This is why many esports players consume caffeine before competitive play.
Practice and gaming — Action video game players consistently react 30–40ms faster than non-gamers in laboratory tests. Regular practice trains the neural pathways involved in rapid motor response.
Anticipation — Knowing roughly when a stimulus will appear (as in this test) allows you to pre-activate motor programs, which is why reaction times here are faster than in truly unpredictable real-world situations.
How to improve your reaction time
While genetics set a ceiling, most people have significant room for improvement through targeted practice:
Play this test daily for two weeks — you'll likely see a 15–30ms improvement as your brain learns to anticipate and respond more efficiently. Action games, table tennis, and badminton are particularly effective cross-training for visual reaction speed. Prioritize sleep, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol before testing for your best results.