How to show FPS in games on Windows 11/10 PC - UMA Technology (2025)

How to Show FPS in Games on Windows 11/10 PC

Frames per second (FPS) is a crucial metric for gamers, as it significantly affects gameplay quality, responsiveness, and the overall gaming experience. Monitoring FPS can help gamers determine how well their hardware is performing and whether or not they’re getting the most out of their games. In this comprehensive article, we will cover various methods to display FPS in games on Windows 11/10 PCs.

What is FPS and Why Is It Important?

FPS refers to the number of frames that your graphics card can render per second. For instance, if a game runs at 60 FPS, it means that your hardware is capable of producing 60 unique images every second. Higher FPS results in smoother gameplay, reducing stuttering and enhancing the fluidity of movement.

Seeing your FPS in real-time can help you:

1. Optimize Settings: Knowing your FPS can guide you in adjusting game settings, such as resolution and graphical effects, to balance visual quality and performance.
2. Identify Bottlenecks: If your FPS is unusually low, it may indicate a hardware issue that needs addressing.
3. Show Performance Improvements: If you’re upgrading components or tweaking system settings, seeing real-time FPS can help verify if changes make a difference.

How to Show FPS in Popular Games

Many modern games come with built-in options to display FPS in-game. Here’s how to enable this feature in some popular titles:

1. Steam Games: If you’re playing games via Steam, you can enable FPS display easily.

   • Open Steam and go to the “Settings” in the menu.
   • Click on “In-Game” and look for the “In-game FPS counter” option.
   • Choose where you want the FPS counter to appear on the screen: top left, top right, bottom left, or bottom right.
   • Click "OK" to confirm.

2. Epic Games Store:

   • Open the Epic Games Launcher.
   • Click on your profile name and go to "Settings."
   • Under "General," you will find an option for "Enable in-game overlay."
   • Once enabled, launch a game and press the designated key combination (usually Alt + Z) to display the FPS.

3. Battle.net Games:

   • Open the Battle.net launcher.
   • Click on the game you want to modify and select "Options."
   • Go to “Game Settings,” and look for the "In-Game" Overlay.
   • Activate the overlay and check for FPS options within the game itself.

4. Origin Games:

   • Open Origin and navigate to "Application Settings."
   • Look for the “Origin In-Game” option and enable it.
   • Check the “Display FPS counter” to show in a specific corner of the screen.

Using Third-Party Software

If the game you are playing does not have built-in FPS display options or if you want more detailed stats, third-party software can help.

1. Fraps: One of the oldest FPS monitoring tools, Fraps is easy to use.

   • Download and install Fraps from the official website.
   • Run Fraps before launching your game. In the "FPS" tab, check the box for "Show Fps."
   • Set a shortcut key (e.g., F12) to toggle the FPS display during gameplay.

2. MSI Afterburner: A popular choice among gamers and overclockers.

   • Download and install MSI Afterburner along with RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS).
   • Open MSI Afterburner and go to "Settings."
   • Under the “Monitoring” tab, select “Framerate” and enable it. You can also set the on-screen display (OSD) options for clarity.
   • Save your settings and launch your game. The FPS will be displayed in the corner you designated.

3. GeForce Experience (For NVIDIA Users):

   • Install NVIDIA GeForce Experience on your PC.
   • Sign in, and make sure you have the latest graphics drivers installed.
   • Open GeForce Experience, go to the "Settings" (gear icon).
   • Navigate to the "In-Game Overlay" section and enable it.
   • Once activated, press Alt + Z to open the overlay, find “Settings,” and set up the FPS counter.

4. RTSS (RivaTuner Statistics Server): Often used in combination with MSI Afterburner but can also be used standalone.

   • Open RTSS and configure the settings to display the FPS where you want it on the screen.
   • It’s straightforward and doesn’t require an extensive setup.

5. Dxtory: This software prioritizes performance and can show FPS with neat overlays.

   • Install Dxtory and launch it.
   • Configure the FPS settings in the main window.
   • It supports multiple formats and overlays, giving you control over how you want the data displayed.

Windows Game Bar

Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in Game Bar that can display FPS while gaming. Here’s how to enable it:

1. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar.
2. Click on the “Performance” widget.
3. If you don’t see this widget, you may need to add it by clicking on the "Widgets" menu.
4. In the Performance widget, you will find the FPS counter, along with other performance metrics like CPU and GPU usage.

To effectively use the Game Bar:

• Open the game you want to run.
• Press Windows + G again during gameplay, and the FPS will be shown in the Performance window.

Game Mode in Windows 10/11

For users of Windows 10 and 11, enabling Game Mode can improve performance and potentially offer better metrics for gameplay, including FPS:

1. Go to the Windows Settings (Windows + I).
2. Click on “Gaming” and then “Game Mode.”
3. Toggle the Game Mode option to “On.”
4. While this does not directly display FPS, it optimizes gaming performance which can enhance frame rates, allowing you to see better FPS using other methods.

Optimizing FPS for Better Performance

Displaying FPS is only one side of the equation; optimizing your setup to achieve the highest FPS possible is critical. Here are some tips:

1. Update Graphics Drivers: Keeping your GPU drivers updated can significantly impact performance. Use GeForce Experience for NVIDIA cards or AMD Radeon Software for AMD cards to manage updates.

2. Lower Graphics Settings: In-game graphics settings can reduce FPS. Adjust settings like texture quality, shadows, anti-aliasing, and resolution for better performance.

3. Close Background Applications: Running multiple applications while gaming can take up valuable system resources. Make sure to close unnecessary programs before launching your game.

4. Overclock your GPU/CPU: For advanced users, overclocking can yield better performance. Use software like MSI Afterburner and ensure your cooling system is adequate.

5. Upgrade Hardware: If your current hardware is outdated, consider upgrading components like the GPU, CPU, or adding more RAM to improve overall gaming performance.

6. Check for Malware: Malware can affect system performance. Use digital tools to scan and remove any unwanted software.

Conclusion

Monitoring FPS while gaming on a Windows 11/10 PC can enhance your gaming experience by enabling you to make informed adjustments to your hardware and settings. Whether you opt for built-in game features or third-party applications, knowing your frame rate can be incredibly beneficial for both competitive play and general enjoyment.

Embrace the tools and methods outlined in this article to not only display FPS but also to optimize your gaming rig for a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience. No matter your preferred gaming titles or styles, being aware of FPS can make a significant difference in how you experience games.

Make use of the tools available, adjust your settings where necessary, and most importantly, enjoy your gaming adventures—armed with the knowledge of how to measure your performance!