If you’ve ever wondered how to show FPS on PC, you’re not alone.
Many gamers want to know exactly how their computer is handling the latest titles, especially when it comes to online gaming where smooth performance is essential.
Whether you're tracking your system’s performance during gameplay or troubleshooting performance issues, FPS (frames per second) can provide you with valuable insight into your gaming experience.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about FPS, how to show it on your PC and in your favorite games, and why it matters for your performance. Let’s dive in!
What’s Considered a Good FPS?
Before we start showing FPS, it’s important to understand what’s considered a good FPS. FPS is essentially a measurement of how many frames your system can render per second while playing a game. The higher the number, the smoother the gameplay.
- 30 FPS: This is generally considered the minimum for a playable experience. While it’s functional, anything below 30 FPS can feel jerky, and your reaction time may suffer.
- 60 FPS: This is often regarded as the sweet spot for smooth gaming. Most gaming systems and monitors can easily handle 60 FPS, and it's considered an excellent baseline for performance.
- 120 FPS or higher: Gamers with high-refresh-rate monitors often aim for 120 FPS or higher. Competitive gamers, especially in fast-paced titles like CS2 or Valorant, often target 144 FPS or 240 FPS for ultra-smooth gameplay.
The higher your FPS, the smoother your game looks, and the better your performance tends to be. Higher FPS means quicker responses and a more visually pleasing experience, especially in competitive online games where precision and speed are key.
How to Show FPS on PC?
To see your FPS on your PC, you need to enable an FPS counter. This can be done through various tools and built-in features, depending on your system and the software you use. Here's how you can display FPS on your PC:
1. Using Windows Task Manager (For Quick Check)
If you’re just interested in seeing a quick check of your system’s performance while playing, you can use the Windows Task Manager:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Go to the Performance tab.
- Select GPU on the left sidebar. This will show you real-time GPU statistics, including FPS under the GPU section if your game is running.
Source: Dev Blogs Microsoft
While this gives a general idea, it’s not as precise as dedicated tools or in-game FPS counters.
Another way is Steam’s built-in FPS counter.
Just go to Steam > Settings > In-Game, and then enable the FPS counter option.
You should also have the option to select where you want the counter to appear on your screen.
2. Using Third-Party Software
There are many third-party programs that can track and display FPS on your PC. Some of the most popular ones are:
- MSI Afterburner: Widely regarded as one of the best tools for monitoring FPS, GPU usage, and other performance metrics. It’s highly customizable and works with almost any gaming PC.
- Fraps: A classic tool for displaying FPS in games. It’s been around for years, and it’s easy to use. Just install Fraps, and it will show the FPS on your screen while gaming.
- Razer Cortex: Another good option, particularly for those with Razer peripherals. It helps boost your PC’s performance while also showing FPS.
These tools provide more detailed information and are great for those who want to monitor their system’s performance in real-time.
3. Using Built-in Software (For NVIDIA or AMD Users)
If you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, both companies offer built-in FPS counters:
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience: NVIDIA’s software comes with an overlay that can show your FPS. You can turn it on by going to the Settings tab, selecting In-Game Overlay, and then enabling the FPS counter.
- AMD Radeon Software: For AMD users, the Radeon software includes an overlay feature that can display FPS. You can enable it in the Performance tab by turning on the FPS counter.
Both of these options are fantastic if you want to see your FPS without using third-party apps.
And How to Show FPS in Games?
Now that we know how to show FPS on your PC, let’s focus on how to display FPS within specific games.
Here’s how you can enable the FPS counter for some of the most popular online games:
1. CS2 (Counter-Strike 2)
- Launch CS2.
- Press ‘ to open the console.
- Type the command: cl_showfps 1 and press Enter.
- This will display the FPS on the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Valorant
- Open the game and go to Settings.
- Navigate to the Video tab and then to Stats.
- Set the Client FPS to show text, graph, or both
Valorant Video Settings. Source: Jory Hollander/Riot Games
3. Free Fire
There’s no in-game option to display FPS in Free Fire. What you can do is use a third-party application to show your FPS or use the Steam built-in FPS Counter.
Source: Sportskeeda
4. PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds)
Same as Free Fire, there’s no in-game option to display FPS in PUBG. What you can do is use a third-party application to show your FPS or use the Steam built-in FPS Counter.
5. League of Legends
Just press Ctrl + F in-game to display your FPS.
Here’s another way to enable the FPS display:
- Press ESC to open the in-game menu.
- Navigate to the Hotkeys section.
- Go to Display settings.
- Look for the Toggle FPS Display option under the “+” menu.
- Set a custom keyboard shortcut to quickly view your FPS whenever you need.
6. World of Warcraft
Just press Ctrl + R to display your FPS in WoW.
To change that:
- In WoW settings, go to Key Bindings.
- In Miscellaneous, go to Toggle Framerate Display.
- You can change the command to show FPS in Wow here.
Source: Arqade
7. Roblox
- Launch Roblox and open any game.
- Press Shift + F5 to toggle the FPS counter on and off. The FPS will show in the top-right corner.
8. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Open the game and go to Settings.
- Under the Interface tab, scroll all the way down to Telemetry
- Turn on the FPS Counter.
9. Modern Warfare 3
The same as Black Ops 6:
- Open the game and go to Settings.
- Under the Interface tab, scroll all the way down to Telemetry
- Turn on the FPS Counter.
10. Fortnite
- Open Fortnite.
- Go to Settings > Video > Advanced Graphics.
- Enable the Show FPS to show it in the top-right corner.
How to Interpret FPS Metrics?
Now that you can track your FPS while playing games, it's crucial to understand how to interpret those numbers.
Interpreting FPS correctly allows you to adjust settings to maximize your gaming experience, troubleshoot performance issues, and make sure your system is running at its best.
Here’s a more practical breakdown of how to understand your FPS metrics in real-world scenarios:
1. Stable FPS vs. Fluctuating FPS
Stable FPS: Ideally, you want your FPS to stay constant throughout your gaming session. If you're playing a game and your FPS is stable at 60 FPS or above, you're likely experiencing smooth gameplay.
For many players, this stability is the key to reducing distractions like stutter or screen tearing. If you have a 60Hz monitor, maintaining 60 FPS is optimal, as that’s the monitor’s refresh rate.
- What to look for: Check if your FPS is stable during intense moments in the game, like gunfights in Valorant or when large battles are happening in PUBG. If you notice the FPS number fluctuating wildly during these moments, it could signal that your PC is struggling to keep up with the game’s demands.
Fluctuating FPS: If your FPS is jumping around (e.g., from 60 FPS to 30 FPS to 40 FPS), this is a sign of instability, which can be really jarring, especially in fast-paced online games. This often happens when your system is under strain, like when the game has high-demand moments, or there are background applications consuming resources.
- What to do: To fix fluctuating FPS, you may need to adjust your graphical settings (lowering textures, shadows, anti-aliasing), update drivers, or close unnecessary background applications. If you're running games on ultra settings but have a mid-tier PC, expect more FPS fluctuation as your system tries to handle demanding visuals.
2. FPS Drops – When Your Performance Suddenly Tanks
Drops in FPS: FPS drops are usually a clear sign that your system is struggling.
If your FPS suddenly drops from a stable 60 FPS to 20-30 FPS, it’s going to negatively affect your gaming experience, especially in fast, reaction-based games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or CS2.
- Why it happens: FPS drops can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as a sudden spike in CPU or GPU usage, background applications that consume resources, or even overheating.
- How to address it: First, make sure your system isn’t overheating. You can monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures using software like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner. If your hardware is overheating, try cleaning your PC’s fans or improving airflow with additional cooling. Another common cause of FPS drops is running games on high settings that your system can’t handle. In that case, drop down the graphical settings, disable extra effects like anti-aliasing, and lower texture resolution.
3. FPS Stuttering – The Jerky Gameplay Problem
Stuttering: Stuttering is when the gameplay appears choppy, even if your FPS isn’t necessarily low.
It usually happens when the frame rate fluctuates rapidly, or when there’s a mismatch between your FPS and your monitor's refresh rate (like when you're running at 30 FPS on a 60Hz monitor).
- What to do: Enabling V-Sync (Vertical Synchronization) can help solve stuttering by ensuring that your FPS doesn’t exceed your monitor’s refresh rate, or you could try using technologies like G-Sync (for NVIDIA users) or FreeSync (for AMD users). Both technologies help synchronize the refresh rate of your monitor with your GPU’s frame output to eliminate stutter and screen tearing.
- V-Sync tradeoff: The downside to V-Sync is that it can introduce input lag in fast-paced games, which is undesirable for competitive players. If you experience lag, try disabling V-Sync and instead use frame rate limiters to cap your FPS slightly below your monitor’s refresh rate.
4. High FPS Numbers – The Sweet Spot and Beyond
120 FPS to 240 FPS: Higher FPS numbers, like 120 FPS, 144 FPS, or 240 FPS, are especially important for players with high-refresh-rate monitors (e.g., 120Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz). These numbers translate to a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
- What to look for: If you’re consistently hitting higher FPS numbers, like 120 FPS or more, you’re likely getting the full benefit of your high-refresh-rate monitor. This is especially important for competitive FPS games like CS2 or Valorant, where every millisecond counts in your reaction time.
- Why it matters: High FPS ensures smoother gameplay and faster reactions, but only if your monitor can support it. If you’re running a 144Hz monitor and getting 60 FPS, you’re not taking full advantage of the monitor’s capabilities. To fully utilize your hardware, aim to match or exceed your monitor’s refresh rate.
5. Maximum FPS vs. GPU/CPU Utilization
Maximum FPS: Many gamers aim for the highest FPS possible. However, it's important to note that achieving very high FPS numbers can put a strain on your system, especially your CPU and GPU.
- What to watch for: If you’re pushing for high FPS, monitor your CPU and GPU utilization to see if they’re maxing out. If your CPU or GPU is running at 100% usage, it’s a sign that the hardware is working at its limit. You may need to lower some game settings or upgrade your system to meet these demands.
- Frame Limiter: If your system is capable of more FPS than your monitor’s refresh rate, it’s sometimes a good idea to use a frame limiter to cap the FPS. This prevents unnecessary stress on your GPU while also preventing screen tearing.
6. Interpreting the Numbers Based on Your Monitor's Refresh Rate
Matching FPS to Refresh Rate: If your FPS is lower than your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 30 FPS on a 60Hz monitor or 60 FPS on a 144Hz monitor), you may notice screen tearing, where parts of the image seem to "tear" or stutter. To fix this:
- V-Sync: As mentioned, V-Sync can lock your FPS to the refresh rate of your monitor, which helps eliminate screen tearing. But it might cause input lag in fast-paced games, so it’s a balancing act.
- G-Sync/FreeSync: If your monitor supports G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD), these technologies automatically adjust the refresh rate of your monitor to match your FPS, ensuring smoother gameplay without the downside of input lag.
7. Considering Input Lag and Responsiveness
Input Lag: Higher FPS can reduce input lag, but only up to a certain point.
For example, if you're running at 144 FPS on a 144Hz monitor, you'll get a more responsive experience than if you were running at 60 FPS.
However, pushing FPS beyond what your monitor or human eyes can handle (e.g., aiming for 240 FPS on a 60Hz monitor) may not provide significant improvements. In fact, it may only add unnecessary strain on your system.
- What to aim for: Competitive players often look for 120 FPS or higher, but for the average gamer, 60 FPS to 100 FPS is more than enough. Beyond that, it's about ensuring smooth gameplay without overloading your system.
Why is it Important to Know Your FPS?
Knowing your FPS is essential for a few reasons:
- Optimizing Your Experience: If you’re aiming for high FPS (such as 120 FPS or higher), knowing your current FPS helps you adjust settings to achieve smoother gameplay. This could involve lowering some graphical settings to increase performance.
- Competitive Advantage: In online gaming, FPS can be crucial, especially in fast-paced competitive games like CS2 or Valorant. Higher FPS means quicker response times and smoother gameplay, which can directly impact your success.
- Troubleshooting Performance Issues: If your FPS drops unexpectedly, knowing your FPS gives you a starting point for troubleshooting. You can try lowering settings, closing background programs, or checking for updates to drivers and software.
- System Health: Monitoring FPS helps you keep tabs on how your hardware is performing. If your FPS is lower than expected, it could indicate that your PC or components need an upgrade.
Understanding how to show FPS on your PC and in your games is a key part of optimizing your gaming experience.
Whether you're a casual player who just wants smooth gameplay or a competitive gamer looking for every edge, knowing your FPS allows you to take control of your system’s performance.
By keeping an eye on FPS, adjusting your settings accordingly, and troubleshooting when necessary, you can ensure that your gaming experience is as smooth and responsive as possible.
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