How to Check FPS on Windows 11

Frames per second (FPS) is the number that tells you how smooth your games, videos, and animations look on screen. At 30 FPS, motion looks acceptable but noticeably choppy in fast scenes. At 60 FPS, most people see a fluid picture. At 120, 144, or 240 FPS, which high-refresh-rate monitors support, movement looks sharp and responsive, and competitive players gain a real edge.

Knowing your FPS matters for more than bragging rights. It helps you:

• Diagnose stutter and lag. If a game feels rough, a live counter shows whether the problem is low frame rate or something else, such as network latency.
• Tune graphics settings. You can see exactly how switching from High to Ultra, or turning ray tracing on, affects performance.
• Verify hardware upgrades. After installing a new GPU, extra RAM, or a faster monitor, you can measure the difference.
• Check that your monitor is being used properly. A 144 Hz display is wasted if your game runs at 60 FPS.

Windows 11 has no FPS counter in the desktop itself, and Task Manager does not show frame rate. But there are many ways to check it, from the built-in Xbox Game Bar to GPU-vendor overlays, Steam, in-game settings, and dedicated monitoring tools. This guide walks through each method, explains when to use it, and covers the extra metrics worth watching.

Method 1: Use the Xbox Game Bar (Built-In)

The Xbox Game Bar is part of Windows 11 and is the easiest way to see FPS without installing anything.

Steps:

1. Open Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and make sure Game Bar is turned on. (It’s usually enabled by default.)
2. Launch your game or application.
3. Press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar overlay.
4. Find the Performance widget. If you don’t see it, click the Widget menu (the icon that looks like a row of squares) in the Game Bar toolbar and select Performance.
5. In the Performance widget, click the Settings (gear) icon or the Request access button if shown. Windows may ask for permission to monitor performance. Approve it, as it is required for FPS data.
6. Select the FPS tab or section to see your current frame rate.
7. Click the pin icon on the widget so it stays on screen while you play.

Pros:

• Already installed on Windows 11
• Works with most games and apps
• Also shows CPU, GPU, VRAM, and RAM usage

Cons:

• The overlay is basic, with no frame-time graph, 1% lows, or deep customization
• It can occasionally fail to show FPS in exclusive fullscreen games
• Some players find Game Bar adds minor overhead, though it is usually negligible

This is the best starting point if you want a quick answer with no setup.

Method 2: Use Steam’s In-Game FPS Counter

If you play games through Steam, you already have a built-in FPS counter. It’s simple, lightweight, and works with any game launched through Steam, including many non-Steam games you’ve added to your library.

Steps:

1. Open Steam and click Steam > Settings in the top-left corner.
2. Go to the In Game tab.
3. Find In-game FPS counter and choose a corner of the screen (top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right).
4. Optionally enable High contrast color to make the number easier to read against bright backgrounds.
5. Launch a game through Steam. The FPS number appears in your chosen corner.

Pros:

• Extremely easy and lightweight
• No extra software needed if you already use Steam
• Works across your whole Steam library

Cons:

• Only works for games launched through Steam
• Shows only the current FPS, with no averages, lows, or graphs

Method 3: Use Your GPU’s Built-In Overlay

NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel all include performance overlays in their driver software. These are more powerful than Game Bar and usually include extra stats.

NVIDIA GPUs (NVIDIA App or GeForce Experience)

1. Install the NVIDIA app (or GeForce Experience on older setups) and make sure your drivers are current.
2. Open the app and enable the in-game overlay in its settings.
3. While in a game, press Alt + Z to open the overlay.
4. Open the Performance or Statistics panel and enable the FPS display. You can choose which corner of the screen shows it and how much detail is displayed.

NVIDIA’s overlay can display FPS, GPU temperature, GPU usage, and clock speeds depending on your selections.

AMD GPUs (AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition)

1. Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
2. Go to the Performance tab and select Metrics.
3. Turn on Show Metrics Overlay and choose which stats you want, such as FPS, GPU usage, temperature, and frame time.
4. In a game, press Ctrl + Shift + O to toggle the performance metrics overlay. Pressing Alt + R opens the full Radeon overlay.

Intel GPUs (Intel Graphics Software)

1. Open Intel Graphics Software.
2. Look for the performance overlay option in the settings and turn it on.
3. Customize the metrics you want to see, then launch your game.

Pros:

• Tight integration with your graphics driver
• Often includes GPU temperature, usage, and clock speeds
• Customizable position and metrics

Cons:

• Only works with that vendor’s GPU
• The menus change as driver software is updated, so exact option names may differ slightly

Method 4: Use MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner

For serious benchmarking and fine-grained control, MSI Afterburner paired with RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) is the go-to combination. Despite the name, it works with GPUs from any vendor, not only MSI cards.

Steps:

1. Download MSI Afterburner from MSI’s official website. The installer includes RivaTuner Statistics Server, so make sure RTSS is selected during installation.
2. Open Afterburner and click the Settings (gear) icon.
3. Go to the Monitoring tab.
4. In the list of graphs, find Framerate and tick the checkbox. Then tick Show in On-Screen Display.
5. Repeat for other stats you care about, such as Frametime, GPU temperature, GPU usage, CPU usage, and Memory usage.
6. Click OK, then launch your game. The overlay appears while you play.

You can customize fonts, colors, size, and position through RTSS’s settings.

Pros:

• Highly customizable overlay with many metrics
• Frame-time graphs help you spot stutter
• Can log data and benchmark over time
• RTSS can also cap your frame rate

Cons:

• More setup than the other methods
• The interface can feel dated and overwhelming for beginners
• Some online anti-cheat systems have historically flagged overlay software, so check a game’s policy before using it in competitive titles

Method 5: Use In-Game FPS Counters

Many popular games have their own FPS display in the settings menu. This is often the most reliable method, because the game itself reports the number.

• Fortnite: Go to Settings > Video and turn on Show FPS.
• Valorant: Open Settings > General > Stats and enable Client FPS (and other stats if you want them).
• Counter-Strike 2: Open the developer console and type cl_showfps 1. You may need to enable the console in the game settings first.
• Many other titles: Look in the Video, Graphics, Interface, or Advanced menus for options such as “Show FPS” or “Performance Stats.”

Pros:

• Accurate and designed for that specific game
• No extra software or background processes

Cons:

• Every game works differently, and not all of them have a counter
• You can’t use one method across your entire library

Method 6: Use Standalone Tools Like PresentMon and CapFrameX

If you want detailed performance data, such as 1% lows, 0.1% lows, and frame-time analysis, standalone benchmarking tools are worth trying.

• Intel PresentMon: A free, open-source tool that shows FPS, frame time, and more. Despite the Intel branding, it works across GPU vendors. Recent versions offer an overlay that is easy to read.
• CapFrameX: A popular choice among hardware reviewers and enthusiasts. It captures frame-time data during gameplay and produces detailed charts and statistics.

Pros:

• Excellent for in-depth analysis
• Capture and compare multiple benchmark runs
• Show 1% and 0.1% low figures, which reveal stutter that average FPS hides

Cons:

• More technical than a simple counter
• Overkill if you only want a quick number

Understanding the Numbers: More Than Just FPS

Once you can see your frame rate, it helps to know what the numbers actually mean.

Average FPS is the typical frame rate over a period. It’s useful, but it can hide problems. A game averaging 90 FPS can still feel choppy if it regularly dips.

1% lows and 0.1% lows show the frame rate during the worst moments of gameplay. If your average is 100 FPS but your 1% lows are 40, you’ll feel noticeable hitching. Higher lows mean a smoother experience.

Frame time is the time, in milliseconds, between each frame. At 60 FPS, each frame should take about 16.7 ms. Uneven frame times cause stutter even when FPS looks fine. A flat frame-time graph means smooth gameplay, while spikes mean stutter.

Refresh rate is how many times your monitor updates per second (measured in Hz). If your monitor is 60 Hz, FPS above 60 won’t look any smoother, although it can still reduce input delay. To check your refresh rate, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.

Quick Tips if Your FPS Is Low

• Update your graphics drivers.
• Lower resolution, shadows, and effects in the game’s graphics settings.
• Enable Game Mode in Windows 11 via Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.
• Close unnecessary background apps and browser tabs.
• Make sure your laptop is plugged in and set to a high-performance power mode.
• Check that your game is using the dedicated GPU, not integrated graphics, via Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
• Monitor temperatures. Thermal throttling can lower performance noticeably.

Conclusion

Checking FPS on Windows 11 is easy once you know where to look. For a fast, no-install option, Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G) gives you a quick reading. If you’re a Steam user, the in-game FPS counter takes seconds to enable. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel overlays offer richer data tied to your graphics hardware, while MSI Afterburner with RTSS gives you the most customizable overlay for benchmarking and tuning. In-game counters are dependable for individual titles, and tools like PresentMon and CapFrameX are ideal when you want to dig into 1% lows and frame-time behavior.

The best choice depends on what you need. If you only want to know whether your game runs smoothly, a simple counter is enough. If you’re tuning settings, comparing hardware, or hunting down stutter, use an overlay that also shows frame time and GPU usage. Whichever method you pick, remember that a high average FPS alone doesn’t guarantee a smooth experience. Consistency matters just as much as speed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Windows 11 have a built-in FPS counter?

Yes. The Xbox Game Bar includes a Performance widget that can display your FPS. Press Windows + G while in a game, open the Performance widget, and pin it to your screen. Task Manager, however, does not show FPS.

2. What is a good FPS for gaming?

It depends on the game and your display. For most players, 60 FPS is a solid baseline for smooth gameplay. Competitive and fast-paced titles benefit from 120 FPS or higher, especially on high-refresh-rate monitors. Consistency matters as well, so stable frame times and good 1% lows often feel better than a high but fluctuating average.

3. Why is my FPS counter not showing in a game?

Several things can cause this. The overlay may be disabled in settings, the game may be running in exclusive fullscreen mode that blocks overlays, or the game’s anti-cheat may block certain overlay software. Try switching the game to borderless windowed mode, restarting the game, updating your graphics drivers, or using a different method, such as the game’s own FPS option or your GPU vendor’s overlay.

4. Does showing an FPS counter reduce performance?

Generally, the impact is very small. Lightweight options like the Steam counter or in-game counters have almost no effect. Overlays with many metrics, graphs, and logging, such as MSI Afterburner with RTSS or full-featured GPU overlays, may use slightly more resources, but on modern hardware the difference is usually negligible. If you suspect an overlay is hurting performance, test with it turned off and compare.