Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo see a live FPS (frames per second) counter, first check the game’s own settings. If it has no counter, use the overlay for your launcher or graphics card: Steam, NVIDIA, or AMD. MSI Afterburner is another option when you want to choose several metrics. Availability and setup depend on the game and your system.
Which FPS counter should you use?
| Method | What you need | What it can show | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game’s own setting | A game that offers an FPS counter | FPS; other metrics depend on the game | Usually the fewest steps |
| Steam performance monitor | Steam and its in-game overlay | FPS and, depending on detail level, CPU, GPU, and memory information | Enable in Steam settings |
| NVIDIA overlay | Desktop or laptop GeForce RTX, or GeForce GTX 600 Series or newer; In-Game Overlay enabled | Performance statistics, configurable through the overlay | Enable and use the keyboard shortcut |
| AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition | Compatible Radeon graphics and the full software installation | Selectable metrics including frame rate | Choose metrics and enable the overlay |
| MSI Afterburner | MSI Afterburner configured for on-screen display | Framerate and other selected monitoring statistics | Configure monitored statistics and an OSD toggle |
FPS means frames per second. It is a common gaming performance metric, but one number is only a simplified view of how a game is running, as Steam explains.
1. Look for a counter in the game’s settings
Open the game’s settings and check sections such as Display, Graphics, Video, HUD, or Performance. Look for an option named “FPS counter,” “frame rate,” or “performance statistics.” If the game provides one, this is often the most direct way to display FPS while playing.
Menus and options vary by game, and not every game has a built-in counter. Check the specific title’s settings or support information if you cannot find it.
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2. Turn on Steam’s performance monitor
- Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings > In Game.
- Find the Performance Monitor setting and turn it on.
- Choose a detail level. Higher levels can include CPU, GPU, and memory information alongside FPS.
- Launch a game through Steam and check for the monitor in a screen corner.
Steam lets you adjust the monitor’s appearance and position in its in-game settings. See Steam’s performance monitor instructions for its current controls.
3. Use the NVIDIA overlay on a GeForce system
NVIDIA documents this overlay for desktop and laptop GeForce RTX graphics and GeForce GTX 600 Series and newer. The In-Game Overlay must be enabled in NVIDIA App settings.
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- Open NVIDIA App settings and enable In-Game Overlay.
- While playing, press Alt+R to toggle the statistics overlay. This is the default shortcut.
- Press Alt+Shift+R to cycle through metric displays.
To change the shortcut, open Alt+Z > Settings > Shortcuts. To change which statistics appear, use Alt+Z > Statistics > Configure heads up display. NVIDIA’s overlay instructions cover these settings.
4. Enable the metrics overlay in AMD Software
AMD’s instructions apply to compatible Radeon graphics using the full installation of AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. The interface may vary with system configuration; AMD says its examples are based on Adrenalin Edition 23.9.1. Its support article was last updated November 12, 2024.
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- Open AMD Software and search for Metrics.
- Open Performance Metrics and select Frame Rate (and any other metrics you want).
- Open the Overlay settings and enable Show Metrics Overlay.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+O to toggle the overlay. This is the documented default shortcut.
For current menu navigation, follow AMD’s Adrenalin Edition metrics instructions. AMD also documents FPS in its older Radeon Overlay interface, but that legacy guide uses a different interface; use the Adrenalin steps above for the current instructions.
5. Configure MSI Afterburner’s on-screen display
Afterburner can display framerate statistics and other selected monitoring data. It requires more configuration than enabling a basic in-game counter.
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- Open MSI Afterburner and select Settings > Monitoring.
- Select Framerate in the list and enable monitoring for it. Select other metrics if desired.
- For each metric you want displayed, check Show in On Screen Display.
- Open the On Screen Display tab and configure a toggle key. MSI’s guide uses Scroll Lock as an example.
- Start a game and use the configured toggle to show or hide the OSD.
If Afterburner’s OSD does not appear in a game, MSI suggests Windows Game Bar as an alternative. See MSI’s Afterburner OSD guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the FPS counter does not appear
- Confirm the game is running and the relevant in-game or software overlay is enabled.
- For NVIDIA, check that In-Game Overlay is enabled. For AMD, make sure the full Adrenalin installation is present and that Show Metrics Overlay is enabled.
- If one overlay does not show in a game, try another method supported by your system. For Afterburner specifically, MSI names Windows Game Bar as a fallback.
- If two overlays are enabled, they may occupy the same screen area. Adjust their positions or appearance in Steam or AMD settings where available.
These methods are not established as equally accurate, nor is there a documented controlled comparison of their performance overhead. Choose based on which software you already use, what your hardware supports, and whether the game displays the overlay.
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