Statistics
Reaction Time by Age
Reaction time changes across the lifespan. Here's what large studies have found, and what our own data shows (based only on age ranges that users chose to share).
Median reaction time by self-reported age range
Classic reaction time test. Only sessions where the user chose to share an age range.
Data collection in progress.
We only publish age comparisons (per age range) once at least 100 real, anonymous test sessions are available (39 so far). Every completed test helps. How we collect data
What research says about age and reaction time
One of the largest population studies, the UK Health and Lifestyle Survey analysed by Der and Deary (2006), measured reaction times in thousands of adults. It found that reaction times slow and become more variable with age across adulthood, and that choice reaction time is affected more than simple reaction time.
Slowing with age is gradual and individual differences are large: many older adults react faster than many younger ones. Health, physical activity, sleep and familiarity with the task all play a role.
How we handle age data
- Age is never inferred from your device, behaviour or location.
- Sharing an age range is optional and is only offered after a completed test.
- We publish an age group only once it has enough sessions to be meaningful.
Frequently asked questions
At what age is reaction time fastest?
How do you know users' ages?
Can older adults improve their reaction time?
Sources
- Der G, Deary IJ. Age and sex differences in reaction time in adulthood: results from the United Kingdom Health and Lifestyle Survey. Psychol Aging. 2006;21(1):62–73.
- Woods DL, Wyma JM, Yund EW, Herron TJ, Reed B. Factors influencing the latency of simple reaction time. Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;9:131.
Add your result to the data
Every completed test is saved anonymously and helps make these statistics more accurate.