Total Blocking Time (TBT) is a critical performance metric that evaluates the responsiveness of a webpage during its loading phase.
TBT measures how long the main thread is blocked, which prevents the browser from responding to user interactions like clicks, scrolls, or key presses.
TBT is the cumulative blocking time of all long tasks that occur between first contentful paint (FCP) and time to interactive (TTI).
Total Blocking Time (TBT) directly impacts First Input Delay (FID) by reducing the main thread’s blocking time, improving responsiveness.
Improving TBT involves reducing main thread blocking time by addressing the root causes of long tasks. Strategies include optimizing JavaScript execution, reducing third-party script load, and refactoring inefficient code.
TBT is a key indicator of website responsiveness and overall performance, playing a significant role in user experience, search engine rankings, and understanding underlying issues that slow down your site.
Improving TBT leads to faster and more interactive websites, ensuring better performance and satisfaction for users.
Measuring TBT using tools like Lighthouse and addressing issues like long tasks and unoptimized scripts are essential steps towards achieving a good TBT score of under 200 milliseconds.
TBT should primarily be measured in a controlled lab environment to minimize variance caused by real-world user interactions. Field measurements can use newer APIs like Long Animations Frame API for additional insights.
A good Total Blocking Time (TBT) score is critical for delivering an optimal user experience. When tested on average mobile hardware, a TBT of under 200 milliseconds is considered excellent.