A typical quick tap is around a quarter of a second, about 250 milliseconds. Under 200 is excellent. Under about 150 is rare.

What if I tap too early?

That try does not count. Your best is unchanged, and it is not added to your tries. Tap the panel when you are ready to start again.

Where is my best time kept?

In this browser, on this device. Clearing site data for Play Solo removes it. Nothing is sent to a server.

Does the wait get shorter when I am fast?

No. Each wait is chosen at random, between about one and a half seconds and five seconds.

Why did my tap not count?

Taps before the color change are “too soon” and discard that attempt.

Reaction — Free Online

Rules and help

How to play Reaction

Tap the panel to begin. It stays dark for a random moment, between about one and a half seconds and five seconds, then turns cream and reads Now.

The tap

Tap the panel then, or press the space bar or Enter. The time is taken on the press itself, from the moment the color changed, and shown in milliseconds. What you see after the tap is the time that is scored.

Too soon

A tap while the panel is still dark does not count. That try is not added, and your best stays as it was. Tap the panel to start another wait.

Scoring

Lower is better. Your best time, your last time, and the number of taps that counted stay on this device.

If you leave the tab

Leaving the tab during the wait sets that try aside. The clock does not start while the page is hidden. Come back and tap to start again.

Tips

Rest a finger on the panel, or a thumb over the space bar, before the color changes.
The wait is a different length every time, so counting the seconds will not land you on the change.
Tap once when it changes. Another tap after the time appears starts the next wait.
A few quiet tries in a row are usually quicker than rushing the next one.

Playing on a phone or tablet

Tap the panel to start, then tap it again the moment the color changes. The time is taken when your finger touches the panel. The panel stays in the same place for every try.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good time?: A typical quick tap is around a quarter of a second, about 250 milliseconds. Under 200 is excellent. Under about 150 is rare.
What if I tap too early?: That try does not count. Your best is unchanged, and it is not added to your tries. Tap the panel when you are ready to start again.
Where is my best time kept?: In this browser, on this device. Clearing site data for Play Solo removes it. Nothing is sent to a server.
Does the wait get shorter when I am fast?: No. Each wait is chosen at random, between about one and a half seconds and five seconds.
Why did my tap not count?: Taps before the color change are “too soon” and discard that attempt.