Understanding Keyboard Latency
Keyboard latency is the delay between pressing a key and the computer registering the input. For competitive gaming, every millisecond counts. Total input latency includes the keyboard’s polling rate, switch actuation time, and debounce delay.
Polling rate determines how often your keyboard reports to the computer. Standard keyboards poll at 125Hz (8ms), while gaming keyboards often use 1000Hz (1ms). Higher polling rates reduce input lag but require more CPU resources.
Switch type affects latency too. Mechanical switches generally have faster actuation than membrane keyboards. Optical switches can be even faster since they use light rather than physical contact. Key travel distance and actuation point also impact how quickly a key registers.
This test measures your reaction time plus keyboard latency. Human reaction time averages 200-250ms, so results below 180ms indicate good keyboard performance. Professional gamers typically achieve 150-180ms on this test with high-quality gaming keyboards.