Is 500 ms a good reaction time?
A 500 ms reaction time falls into the Below Average band — slower than the majority of test-takers. Do not over-read a single score: fatigue, distraction, and a cold start can each shift this kind of result by a wide margin. 500 ms is one of the round-number search references queried about reaction time scores. Against the standard benchmarks, your 500 ms score is 320 ms past the Elite cutoff (180 ms), 280 ms past the Fast cutoff (220 ms), and 220 ms past the Average cutoff (280 ms). The nearest indexed bucket is 400 ms (Below Average). Take the Reaction Time Test to see how your live performance compares.
Where 500 ms falls
- Your score
- 500 ms
- Tier
- Below Average
- Elite threshold
- 180 ms
- Fast threshold
- 220 ms
- Average threshold
- 280 ms
- Estimated percentile
- 1%
Nearby scores
Frequently asked questions
Is 500 ms a good reaction time?
500 ms sits in the Below Average band. The Average reference is 280 ms and the Fast reference is 220 ms, so you have clear room to improve with practice.
How does 500 ms compare to the average?
The Average threshold on the Reaction Time Test is 280 ms. Your 500 ms is in the Below Average band relative to that. Elite performers cross 180 ms; Fast performers cross 220 ms.
How can someone improve from 500 ms?
Consistent practice — same environment, same time of day, same input device — is the biggest lever. Take the Reaction Time Test a few times per week, sleep well, and watch how your score drifts toward the Fast (220 ms) and Elite (180 ms) thresholds over a few weeks.