Reaction Time by Age

Reaction time changes over the lifespan. Children and teens improve as their nervous systems mature; adults typically peak in their late teens to early twenties; and older adults often see a gradual slowdown. This guide explains how reaction time varies by age, what benchmarks to expect, and how you can compare your own reflex speed test results.

When Is Reaction Time Fastest?

Research suggests that simple visual reaction time tends to be fastest between roughly 18 and 24 years of age. After that, it gradually increases at a rate of about 1-2 ms per year on average. This does not mean you cannot improve—practice, sleep, and focus still matter at any age.

Children and Adolescents

Young children have slower reaction times than adults because their neural pathways are still developing. Performance improves through adolescence as processing speed and motor control mature. By the late teens, many reach or exceed typical adult ranges.

Reaction Time Benchmarks by Age Group

Approximate ranges for simple visual reaction time:

• Under 18 — Variable; often 250-280 ms as teens approach adult levels
• 18-24 — Peak range; typically 220-250 ms
• 25-39 — Still strong; often 240-270 ms
• 40-59 — Slight decline; often 260-290 ms
• 60+ — Often 280-350 ms or more

These are averages. Individual variation is high. Someone in their 40s who practices regularly can still outperform an untrained 20-year-old.

Why Does Reaction Time Slow With Age?

Several factors contribute to slower reaction times in older adults:

• Neural processing — Signal transmission and processing may slow slightly
• Vision — Changes in vision can affect stimulus detection
• Motor control — Movement execution may take slightly longer
• Attention and focus — Multitasking and distraction can have a bigger impact

For tips on staying sharp, see our guide on how to improve reaction time.

Can You Improve Reaction Time at Any Age?

Yes. Even older adults can improve reaction time with consistent practice. Cognitive training, physical activity, and targeted reflex exercises can help maintain or regain milliseconds. The key is regularity—a few minutes of reaction time test online practice each day can add up over weeks and months.

Compare Your Results

Take our free reaction time test to see your score in milliseconds. Compare it to the average reaction time and what is a good reaction time for context. With practice, you can work toward your age-appropriate best.

Gender and Reaction Time

Some studies report small differences in average reaction time between genders, but the effect is usually small (often under 20 ms) and overlaps greatly. Individual variation within each group is much larger than any average difference. Age and practice tend to matter more.

Staying Sharp as You Age

While reaction time naturally slows with age, you can slow the decline with regular physical activity, cognitive training, and targeted reflex practice. A daily reaction time test online session can help maintain neural pathways and motor responses. For improvement strategies, see how to improve reaction time.