Reaction time is the gap between something happening and you responding to it – the light turning green and your finger pressing the button, the ball leaving the bowler's hand and your bat starting to move, the car in front braking and your foot hitting the brake. It is measured in milliseconds (ms), and one second is 1,000 ms. This guide explains what counts as a good reaction time, why it changes with age and tiredness, why it matters so much on the road, and what you can realistically do to get faster.
Find your own number first: our reaction test takes under a minute and averages 5 tries.
Test your reaction time →What is a good reaction time?
For a simple test like ours – one signal, one button – most adults average between 200 and 300 ms. Large online reaction tests with millions of results report a typical (median) score of around 270 ms on a computer.
| Average | Rating |
|---|---|
| Under 200 ms | Excellent – top athletes and gamers often score here |
| 200–250 ms | Good – faster than most people |
| 250–300 ms | Average |
| 300–350 ms | A little slow – often due to tiredness or the device |
| Over 350 ms | Slow – try again when rested and focused |
Your device matters too. Screens, mice, keyboards and especially touchscreens add a small delay – often 10–50 ms – before your click is counted. Compare scores on the same device, and take the average of several tries rather than your single best one.
Sight, sound and touch
We react faster to some senses than others. Reactions to sound and touch are typically faster than reactions to light – often by 30–50 ms – because those signals reach the brain and get processed more quickly. This is why a sprint race starts with a gun (or a beep) rather than a light.
In fact, athletics rules treat any reaction faster than 0.100 seconds after the starting signal as a false start, because a genuine human reaction to the sound is not considered possible that quickly. Elite sprinters usually react in about 0.12–0.18 seconds.
Simple vs choice reaction time
A simple reaction is one signal and one response – like our test. A choice reaction means deciding between options first: press left for red, right for blue. Choice reactions are slower, and they get slower as the number of options grows. This is known as Hick's law. Real life is mostly choice reactions: a cricket batter has to judge line, length and swing before choosing a shot, which is why their "reaction" to a fast delivery depends so much on reading the bowler early.
How age affects reaction time
Reaction times are usually fastest in the late teens and twenties. After that they slow gradually – only a few milliseconds per decade at first, then more noticeably after about 60. Children under about 10 are also slower, because the brain's processing is still developing. The good news is that regular physical activity, good sleep and staying mentally active help keep reactions sharp at any age.
Why it matters on the road
In a lab test you know the signal is coming. On the road you don't, so real-world "perception–reaction time" – noticing a hazard, deciding to brake, and moving your foot – is usually 1 to 1.5 seconds, sometimes more. During that time the car keeps moving at full speed:
| Speed | Distance travelled in 1.5 seconds (before braking starts) |
|---|---|
| 30 km/h | 12.5 metres |
| 60 km/h | 25 metres |
| 100 km/h | about 42 metres |
That is before the brakes have even started to slow the car. Looking at a phone, even for a moment, adds more delay. So does tiredness: studies have found that staying awake for 17–19 hours can slow reactions about as much as a moderate amount of alcohol. Keeping a safe gap to the vehicle in front gives you the time your reactions need.
How to improve your reaction time
- Sleep well. This is the biggest and fastest win. A tired brain is a slow brain.
- Practise the specific skill. Reactions improve most for tasks you repeat – a goalkeeper gets faster at saving shots, a gamer at their game. General "reaction training" transfers less than people expect.
- Exercise regularly. Fitness supports attention and processing speed, especially as you get older.
- Reduce distractions. Notifications and multitasking slow responses.
- Stay relaxed. Tense muscles move later. Keep your hand loose and ready.
- Anticipate smartly. In sport and driving, reading the situation early matters more than raw speed.
Want to see your improvement? Take the test at the same time of day for a week and note your averages. You can also time other reflex games with a friend using a stopwatch – for example, the classic ruler-drop test.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average human reaction time?
For a simple visual test, most adults average around 250 ms, with large online tests reporting a median of about 270 ms.
Is 200 ms a good reaction time?
Yes. An average of 200 ms is faster than most people and close to the level of many athletes and competitive gamers.
Why is my phone score slower than my computer score?
Touchscreens and phone displays add extra delay before your tap is registered, so phone scores are usually a little slower.
Does caffeine improve reaction time?
A moderate amount of caffeine can give a small short-term improvement, especially when you are tired, but it is no substitute for good sleep.