What term describes how often a display can redraw the screen to show a new image?

The term that is used to describe how often a display can redraw the screen to show a new image is the refresh rate. This is measured in hertz (Hz) and indicates the number of times per second that the display updates its image. For example, a refresh rate of 60 Hz means the screen refreshes the image 60 times each second. A higher refresh rate generally leads to smoother motion and a more responsive viewing experience, especially important in scenarios such as gaming or fast-paced video content.

Understanding the refresh rate is crucial in the context of display technology, as it directly impacts visual performance and the overall experience for the user. Contrast this with other terms like frame rate, which refers to the number of frames per second that a video source produces, rather than the capability of the display itself to refresh the image.