Keyboard repeat rate test
Hold any key and let go. You get the delay before repeating starts and the repeat rate in repeats per second.
Keyboard repeat rate test workspace
How to use
4 short steps.
Press and hold one key
Use an ordinary letter or number. Keep it down until the repeat count passes five, then let go.
Read delay and rate
Repeat delay is the pause before the first repeat. Repeat rate is how many repeats arrive each second, shown in Hz.
Compare with the fastest setting
At the fastest Windows setting expect about 250 ms and 30 Hz. On a Mac expect about 225 ms and 33 Hz.
Change the setting and hold again
Adjust repeat delay or rate in your system settings, come back, and hold the same key. Each hold is a fresh sample.
What the result means
Match what you see to one of these.
If you see about 250 ms and 30 Hz, you are at the fastest setting
If the delay is near 250 ms and the rate near 30 Hz, Windows is at its fastest repeat setting. macOS at its fastest gives about 225 ms and 33 Hz. Both are approximate.
If the delay is long, the system delay setting is high
If the delay is 500 ms or more, your repeat delay is set to slow. Change it in Windows Control Panel, Keyboard; macOS System Settings, Keyboard; or GNOME Settings, Accessibility, Repeat Keys.
If no repeats arrive, repeat is off or the key does not repeat
If the count stays at 0 after a long hold, key repeat is disabled or an accessibility option such as Slow Keys or Filter Keys is on. Modifier keys never repeat.
Troubleshooting
If the test fails, try these in order.
Hold longer
A slow setting can take over a second before the first repeat. Hold for two full seconds and let go, then read the count.
Check the repeat setting
Windows: Control Panel, Keyboard, Repeat delay and Repeat rate. macOS: System Settings, Keyboard, Key repeat rate and Delay until repeat. Change it and hold again.
Turn off Slow Keys or Filter Keys
These accessibility options delay or drop repeats on purpose. Switch them off in the accessibility settings and hold the key again.
Retest without background load
Close heavy tabs and apps, and avoid remote desktop. Hold the key again and compare the jitter figure; it should be a few milliseconds.
What this test can't tell you
Where a browser check stops.
- This measures the repeat your operating system generates, not the keyboard's scan rate, polling rate, debounce time, or latency.
- Browser scheduling can delay individual events, so a single hold can read a few milliseconds off the configured value.
FAQ
Common questions about this test.
What should my keyboard repeat rate be?
It is a preference, not a health measure. Windows defaults to about 30 Hz with a 500 ms delay and lets you shorten the delay to about 250 ms. macOS defaults near 11 Hz with a 375 ms delay and goes to about 33 Hz and 225 ms. People who move through text with held arrow keys usually pick the fastest.
What is keyboard repeat delay?
It is the pause between pressing a key and the moment it starts repeating. Windows offers about 250 ms to 1 second; macOS offers about 225 ms to 2 seconds. Shorter feels quicker but makes accidental repeats easier.
Is repeat rate the same as polling rate?
No. Repeat rate is set by the operating system and applies to a held key. Polling rate is how often the keyboard reports to the computer, usually 125 to 1000 Hz, and this page does not measure it.
Why does the rate change between holds?
Small samples and browser timing vary by a few milliseconds. Background load, remote desktop, and accessibility settings add more. Hold for two seconds and compare the average over several holds.