Understanding Polling Rate
Polling rate (or report rate) is how often your keyboard sends data to your computer, measured in Hertz (Hz). A 1000Hz polling rate means your keyboard reports its status 1000 times per second, or once every millisecond. This directly affects input latency.
Standard USB keyboards typically use 125Hz (8ms interval), which is fine for typing and general use. Gaming keyboards often offer 500Hz (2ms) or 1000Hz (1ms) polling rates for reduced input lag. Some high-end keyboards even support 2000Hz or 4000Hz polling.
Higher polling rates can reduce input latency, but the benefits diminish beyond 1000Hz for most users. Very high polling rates may increase CPU usage slightly. The difference between 125Hz and 1000Hz is noticeable in competitive gaming, while 1000Hz to 2000Hz is barely perceptible.
Note that this test measures your keyboard’s effective polling rate, which may differ from the rated specification due to USB controller limitations, driver issues, or power management settings. For accurate results, ensure your keyboard is connected directly to a USB port (not a hub) and power saving is disabled.