Mac FPS calculator: estimate how many FPS your Mac gets in any game

Calculate in seconds the FPS your Mac can get in 35 games. Pick your model, unified memory and GPU cores, the resolution and quality, and get a realistic frames-per-second estimate, with and without MetalFX. Call it an FPS meter, checker or simulator for Mac: it tells you at a glance whether your Mac can handle your favourite games.

FPS calculator

On the results page you can set the memory, GPU cores and MetalFX of your exact Mac.

How the Mac FPS calculator works

Our algorithm takes your Mac chip’s Geekbench Metal score, adjusts it to its GPU cores and crosses it with each game’s demand profile, calibrated against published real measurements. Then it applies resolution, quality, your model’s cooling (a fanless MacBook Air does not perform like a Mac mini), unified memory and MetalFX. The result is an estimate, not a measurement: it guides you without installing the game.

What you need to use the FPS meter

Your Mac model

We cover all 40 Apple Silicon Macs, M1 to M6: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, Mac Pro and MacBook Neo, each with its own cooling.

GPU cores

Many Macs ship in two versions of the same chip (e.g. a 16- or 20-core M4 Pro). It is what changes FPS most within one model.

Unified memory

On Apple Silicon memory is shared with the GPU. If a game asks for more than you have, it will not launch or it stutters: the calculator warns you.

The game and resolution

35 games with an official Mac version. Calculate at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, on Low, Medium, High or Ultra, with or without MetalFX.

How to read the result

Under 20 FPSToo slowConstant stutter. Lower quality, turn on MetalFX or reduce resolution.
20-29 FPSStrugglesSlow-paced games are playable, but it is not smooth.
30-44 FPSPlayableFine for adventures, strategy and single-player games.
45-59 FPSSmoothA good experience in almost any game.
60+ FPSExcellentIdeal. At 120 FPS you use the full ProMotion display on MacBook Pro.

When to use the FPS simulator

Before buying a game

Check whether your Mac runs it comfortably before you pay, and at what quality.

To decide whether to upgrade

Compare your model with newer ones and see how many FPS you would really gain in your games.

To pick a configuration

Memory and GPU cores cannot be upgraded later: work out what you need before you order.

To tune resolution and quality

Find the balance between your display’s native resolution, quality and MetalFX.

MetalFX: Apple’s upscaler and your FPS

MetalFX is Apple’s upscaling technology, the Mac equivalent of DLSS or FSR: it renders the game at a lower internal resolution and reconstructs the image. It works on every Apple Silicon Mac, but only in games that integrate it, and some recent titles also add frame interpolation. The calculator shows the base estimate without upscaling and lets you turn MetalFX on in Quality, Balanced or Performance mode.

Calculating FPS vs measuring it live

Our tool ESTIMATES performance from your Mac’s hardware and each game’s demand. macOS’s Metal Performance HUD or Steam’s FPS counter MEASURE the real frames while you play. Combine both: use the calculator to decide what to buy or which settings to try, then measure to fine-tune.

Popular Mac games

All 35 games

Frequently asked questions

How does the Mac FPS calculator work?+

It starts from each chip’s graphics power (Geekbench Metal), adjusts it to your model’s GPU cores and crosses it with each game’s demand, calibrated against published measurements. Then it applies resolution, quality, your Mac’s cooling, unified memory and MetalFX.

Are the results accurate?+

They are estimates. Against 150+ measurements from specialist outlets, the formula is off by about 11% on average. Real results vary with game version, macOS version and scene.

Does it work for MacBook Air?+

Yes, and it accounts for the MacBook Air having no fan: in long sessions of demanding games it runs a little slower than a MacBook Pro or Mac mini with the same chip.

Does it cover Intel Macs?+

No. The calculator covers Apple Silicon Macs only, from M1 onwards. Most modern games do not run on Intel Macs at all.

How much memory do I need for Mac gaming?+

Unified memory is also video memory. 8 GB falls short for many current games; 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. 5 of the 35 games we track ask for 16 GB or more.

Which resolution and quality should I pick?+

Start at 1080p High. If you have headroom, move to 1440p or your display’s native resolution; if you are below 30 FPS, lower quality or turn on MetalFX before dropping resolution.

How many FPS do I need?+

30 FPS is the playable floor for single-player games; 60 FPS feels smooth, and MacBook Pro ProMotion displays go up to 120 Hz for those who want more.

How does MetalFX change the result?+

MetalFX renders at a lower resolution and upscales. In the calculator you can turn it on in Quality, Balanced or Performance mode; it usually adds 25% to 70% FPS depending on the mode.

Does it include games run through CrossOver, Parallels or Game Porting Toolkit?+

No. Only games with an official macOS version. Third-party translation layers make performance too variable to give a reliable number.

Methodology and data sources

Each chip’s graphics power comes from Geekbench Metal; memory, GPU cores and cooling from Apple’s tech specs; requirements from each studio. We calibrate the formula against measurements from specialist outlets and review the data regularly. See the full sources and methodology →