Racing start lights reaction test

How the start lights work

Like a grand prix start, the five red lights switch on one after another, one per second. Then comes a short random pause, and all lights go out at once: that's the start. Because the pause changes every time, you can't time it, you have to react.

React before the lights go out and you get a jump start. Your best clean time of the session goes on the leaderboard.

What is a good start time?

Most people score between about 200 and 300 ms. Professional racing drivers train their starts for years and are often quoted at around 200 ms or a little less.

This test measures the same thing as the classic reaction test, but the rhythm of the lights makes it feel much more tense, and many people score a little differently here.

Tips for a better start

Keep your eyes on the lights, not on the button, and keep your finger resting on the mouse or key. Don't try to guess the moment: every jump start costs you a try.

Reaction or anticipation?

A good start is a real reaction to the lights going out, not a guess. That's why the pause after the fifth light is random and why anything under 100 ms is rejected: nobody can see the change, process it and move a finger that quickly, so such a result can only be luck.

Consistency beats a single lucky run. Play five or ten starts in a row and look at your list of times: if most of them are close together, that number is your real reaction time. Rest your eyes between tries and keep the same hand position each time.