What Is a Good Reaction Time? Benchmarks by Age & Skill Level
The average human reacts to a visual stimulus in 200–250ms. But "good" depends entirely on context — what's average for a casual gamer is elite for a 60-year-old, and slow for a pro esports player.
Global Benchmark Table
| Time (ms) | Rating | Who Typically Scores This |
|---|---|---|
| <150ms | ⚡ Legendary | Pro sprinters, elite esports players, outliers |
| 150–180ms | 🔥 Elite | Top 1% of competitive gamers (CS2 pro level) |
| 180–200ms | ✅ Excellent | Skilled competitive gamers, well-rested young adults |
| 200–250ms | 👍 Above Average | Regular gamers, athletes, adults under 30 |
| 250–320ms | 😐 Average | General population, non-gamers |
| 320–400ms | 🐢 Below Average | Fatigued, distracted, or older adults |
| 400ms+ | ⚠️ Slow | Significant fatigue, medication effects, health factors |
Reaction Time by Age
Reaction time peaks between ages 18 and 24, then gradually increases roughly 1–2ms per year through middle age, and accelerates after 60.
| Age Group | Average Reaction Time |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | ~220ms (still developing) |
| 18–24 | ~195ms (peak performance) |
| 25–34 | ~210ms |
| 35–44 | ~225ms |
| 45–54 | ~240ms |
| 55–64 | ~260ms |
| 65+ | ~290ms+ |
Note: These are averages. Regular exercise and cognitive training can keep reaction times significantly lower than age-predicted values.
Reaction Time by Activity
| Group | Average Reaction Time |
|---|---|
| Professional CS2/Valorant players | 150–180ms |
| Competitive gamers (ranked) | 180–220ms |
| Amateur athletes | 200–240ms |
| Non-gaming adults (20–35) | 230–280ms |
| Formula 1 drivers | ~200ms (but under extreme conditions) |
| 100m sprinters (start reaction) | 130–160ms (False start threshold: 100ms) |
Mobile vs Desktop Scores
Mobile scores typically run 30–80ms higher than desktop scores for the same person.
This is due to touchscreen polling rates (often 60–120Hz vs mouse polling at 125–1000Hz),
the 300ms tap delay (mitigated by touch-action: manipulation), and display latency differences.
Always compare mobile scores to mobile benchmarks, not desktop ones.
Find Out Where You Stand
Take our free reaction time test. 5 rounds, instant result, no signup.
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