Display Tests frame skip stutter hitch

Frame Skip Test

Watch for animation timing gaps that suggest skipped frames. Affected by CPU load and browser scheduling.

Interactive tool

Run the test

Runs in your browser

Watches for timing gaps that look like skipped frames. Busy CPU or background tabs can cause gaps even on a healthy display. No special permission is required.

Permission status

Checked in your browser. DeviceHub does not store permission grants.

  • Special permission Not required

Live results

Metrics update as you run the test. Nothing is uploaded.

Loading

Waiting for interactive tool output…

Device information

Labels and capability details reported by your browser.

No device details yet.

Description

About Frame Skip Test

Introduction

This page watches animation timing for gaps that look like skipped frames. Browsers do not expose a perfect hardware frame counter. Main-thread load and power saving can create gaps even on a healthy display.

What this tool does

It animates a marker, measures frame deltas, and counts suspicious gaps. It does not certify panel quality.

When to use it

Use it when motion looks hitchy in the browser. Investigate CPU load before blaming the monitor.

How it works

Supported: all modern browsers with animation frames. Limits: this measures browser scheduling, not a capture-card frame log. Permissions: none. Hardware: any display; results depend more on PC load than panel brand. Expected: occasional gaps under load; calmer counts on an idle focused tab.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Start the test with the tab focused.
  2. Watch the marker and gap counters.
  3. Retry after closing heavy background work.

Common problems

High gap counts with many tabs open usually point to load, not a defective screen.

Privacy explanation

Timing stays local. Nothing is uploaded.

Runtime principles

Built for the browser

What happens when you run this test — without downloads or accounts.

  1. 01

    Runs in your browser

    Frame Skip Test uses standard web APIs — no install, extension, or desktop app required.

  2. 02

    Reads what the browser allows

    Results come from events and capability signals the web platform exposes for this session.

  3. 03

    Private by default

    Input and diagnostic values stay in your browser session for display — nothing is sold as media.

Compatibility

Supported browsers

Expected support for modern engines. Individual APIs may still vary by device.

  • Chrome

    supported

    Latest stable

  • Firefox

    supported

    Latest stable

  • Safari

    supported

    Latest stable

  • Edge

    supported

    Latest stable

Devices

Supported devices

Hardware and form factors this browser test is designed to exercise.

  • Laptop & desktop displays

    CSS pixels, DPR, and color-capable screens.

  • External monitors

    When the browser window is on that display.

  • Mobile screens

    Phone and tablet viewports for layout checks.

Privacy

Your data stays with you

Frame Skip Test is built privacy-first. Diagnostics run in your browser session whenever web APIs allow.

Read our privacy policy

Troubleshooting

Common problems

Quick fixes before you dig into FAQs.

The marker looks smooth but timing shows gaps
Small skips can be hard to see. Reduce other CPU load, retest fullscreen, and treat charts as rAF estimates influenced by the compositor, not a hardware analyzer.
Constant stutter on one display only
Move the window exclusively to that monitor, match OS refresh, update GPU drivers, and compare Refresh Rate Test estimates between screens.
Results worse in battery mode
That is expected when OS or browsers cap frame rates. Retest plugged in with performance power plans for a fair hardware path comparison.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Structured answers for users and FAQ rich results.

Browse FAQs
Does a gap mean my monitor is broken?
Not by itself. Browser load and power saving often cause gaps.
What do browsers expose?
Animation-frame timing you can compare between frames.
What do they not expose?
A hardware frame-perfect skip log from the panel.
Which browsers work?
All modern browsers; absolute counts are not comparable across machines as a lab score.
Permissions or hardware?
None. A focused tab and lighter CPU load give clearer results.
What should I expect?
A moving marker and a gap count that rises when the system is busy.

Newsletter

Updates coming soon

A lightweight email digest for new tools and release notes is planned. No signup form is live yet — check Release Notes for product updates.

Release notes

Need another diagnostic after Frame Skip Test?

Explore related DeviceHub tools that pair well with this test.