Interactive Demo

Doherty Threshold

Productivity soars when response time is under 400 milliseconds. Feel the difference between "instant" and "laggy."

Click both buttons. Feel the difference.

Same action, different response times.

100ms

Fast Response

0 clicks
800ms

Slow Response

0 clicks

Explore the threshold

Adjust the delay and feel when "instant" becomes "slow"

0ms 400ms 1200ms
100 ms
Feels instant

Response Time Perception

Instant 0-100ms
Fast 100-400ms
Noticeable 400-1000ms
Slow 1000ms+
400ms
Doherty Threshold

What you're experiencing

The Doherty Threshold states that productivity soars when a computer and its users interact at a pace (<400ms) that ensures neither has to wait on the other.

This research from the 1980s by Walter Doherty and Ahrvind Thadani showed that when computer response time dropped below 400 milliseconds, users became significantly more productive and engaged.

Key findings:

  • <100ms: Feels instantaneous, direct manipulation
  • 100-400ms: Noticeable but acceptable, stays in flow
  • 400-1000ms: User notices delay, may lose focus
  • >1000ms: Needs loading indicator, user context-switches

UX implications: For any action that takes longer than 400ms, provide visual feedback (progress indicator, skeleton screen, animation) to maintain the perception of responsiveness.