Glossary Entry: Frames per second

Quick Definition

Animation is produced by displaying a number of single images (frames) very rapidly. This is a measurement of the number of images being shown in a second.

Generally speaking, most videos have 32 frames per second, while higher quality videos and most video games aim for 60 or more.

When games can't produce the images fast enough (a common form of lag), the player's input is no longer synchronized with the game's world. This causes the player's character to respond much slower than normal (if at all), and often frustrates everyone involved, if it doesn't induce ragequitting then and there.


4 FPS

12 FPS

32 FPS
Some examples of the same animation at different speeds.
(Actual frames per second varies by browser)


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