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To show an FPS counter with NVIDIA, enable the in-game overlay in NVIDIA App, press Alt+Z in a game, open Statistics, and select FPS in the HUD controls. Then press Alt+R to show or hide the configured statistics overlay. You do not need to enable recording.
NVIDIA App is the current place to look for NVIDIA’s overlay features; older guides may call the same general tool GeForce Experience or the Share overlay. NVIDIA says GeForce Experience features were migrated into NVIDIA App. NVIDIA’s overview
Show FPS with NVIDIA App
- Install or update NVIDIA App from NVIDIA’s official download page, if you do not already have it.
- Open NVIDIA App, go to Settings, and turn on the In-Game Overlay (the exact label or location can vary by release).
- Start your game and press Alt+Z to open the NVIDIA Overlay.
- Choose Statistics, then open its HUD or statistics configuration controls.
- Select FPS. Choose a screen position and, if desired, add other available metrics.
- Close the menu and press Alt+R to show or hide the statistics HUD while playing.
Alt+Z opens the overlay; Alt+R toggles its configured statistics display. Alt+R does not select FPS for you. NVIDIA documents the customizable statistics view and these shortcuts in its NVIDIA App overview and overlay instructions.
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Customize what the counter shows
The statistics HUD can be configured to show FPS alone or a broader set of performance information. Depending on your app version, driver, GPU, laptop setup, game, and supported features, available choices may include GPU or CPU utilization, temperatures, 1% low FPS, latency-related data, power information, or NVIDIA feature status. NVIDIA describes real-time FPS, utilization, 1% lows, and latency information on its NVIDIA App page; do not assume every metric will appear on every PC.
You can also adjust the HUD’s screen position and, where the installed version exposes the controls, its color and size. If the text is hard to read or seems missing, reopen the configuration and check that it has not been placed off-screen or obscured.
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What the numbers mean
- FPS means frames per second: the rate at which frames are rendered or reported by the selected counter. A higher number can make motion look smoother, but it is not by itself a measure of image quality or input responsiveness.
- 1% low FPS helps reveal consistency that an average can hide. NVIDIA FrameView describes it in relation to the slowest 1% of frames; a low value can point to uneven delivery or dips, but it is not a universal stutter score. See the FrameView guide.
- Latency is different from FPS. FPS describes frame rate, while latency concerns the time between an action and its visible result. A high FPS reading does not guarantee low input or system latency; NVIDIA discusses FPS and latency as separate measurements in its Reflex explanation.
When frame generation is active, displayed output can include generated frames, so its FPS figure is not necessarily directly comparable with a traditionally rendered workload. Compare like-for-like settings, and use 1% lows or logged measurements when consistency matters.
If you still use GeForce Experience
Older instructions often say to enable In-Game Overlay, press Alt+Z, then open Performance or the HUD settings. Choose the desired performance display and its position, then use Alt+R to toggle it. Labels differ across older versions. If a guide says “Share overlay,” it is describing the legacy interface; look for the equivalent Statistics controls in NVIDIA App if you have moved to the current application. NVIDIA’s archived-era GeForce overlay instructions document that older flow.
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Fix an NVIDIA FPS counter that is not showing
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Alt+Z does nothing | Confirm NVIDIA App is installed, running, and has In-Game Overlay enabled. Restart the app and game, then update NVIDIA App and the graphics driver. Check for a shortcut conflict; you can change NVIDIA’s keyboard shortcuts in its settings. Test another game to see whether the issue is game-specific. |
| Alt+R does nothing | Open Alt+Z manually and confirm FPS is selected in Statistics. Check that the overlay is enabled and that another app has not intercepted the shortcut. |
| The HUD appears but FPS is blank or says N/A | Let the game render a frame, update NVIDIA App and the driver, and test another game. Confirm the overlay is active in the game rather than only on the desktop. NVIDIA release notes have recorded fixes for Statistics showing N/A, so this can be version-related. Check NVIDIA App release highlights. |
| It works in one game but not another | Treat it as a compatibility issue. Try borderless or windowed mode, launch the game after NVIDIA App is running, and temporarily disable other overlays. Some games, anti-cheat systems, rendering modes, or protected content may restrict overlays; these steps are tests, not guarantees. |
| The text is invisible or in the wrong place | Press Alt+R to check whether it was toggled off, then reopen Statistics/HUD settings. Adjust the position, size, or color if available, and restart the game if necessary. |
| A laptop reports unexpected behavior | Verify that the game is using the NVIDIA GPU. Hybrid graphics, Optimus routing, manufacturer graphics modes, external display connections, and power-saving settings can affect behavior or available statistics. |
Alternatives for different needs
For ordinary gameplay, NVIDIA App is the straightforward NVIDIA-specific option. If it conflicts with a game, check the game’s own video, graphics, interface, or HUD settings for a built-in FPS counter; not every game provides one.
For benchmarking rather than a small live counter, NVIDIA FrameView can help compare average FPS, 1% lows, and other measurements, with data logging for later review. It is more involved than simply enabling the NVIDIA App HUD and is not required just to see FPS. Other overlays, such as Steam or Windows Game Bar, may be alternatives, but can add their own setup steps or conflicts.
Quick Recap
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- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4 OC mode: 2640MHz/Default mode: 2610MHz (Boost Clock)
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.125-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
Rank #4
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Powered by GeForce RTX 5060
- Integrated with 8GB GDDR7 128bit memory interface
- PCIe 5.0
- WINDFORCE cooling system
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