Unfortunately, Skyrim does not provide a method for displaying its FPS to the player.
The console command tdt
(ToggleDebugText) was expected to work by many players, as it did in previous Bethesda games.
It doesn't work in Skyrim, though, so third-party software really is your only choice in this case.
I've used FRAPS successfully with Skyrim, the free version is sufficient for just an FPS readout.
In general, if a game or its engine doesn't specifically provide an implementation of an FPS readout (usually via some sort of console command or similar), then additional software is your only choice.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/1485/DMA57361
You can use the Elys MemInfo SKSE plugin to display FPS along with several other useful statistics in-game.
This will likely result in more accurate readings and is simpler than using a separate tool.
Requirements:
Skyrim version
1.1.21 or above is required.
Skyrim Script Extender version 1.1 or above.
At least Windows XP SP1.
Installing:
Extract the content of this archive into your Skyrim folder.
( by default the folder is "C:\Program
Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\skyrim" )
If correctly extracted you should find SKSE_Elys_MemInfo.dll inside your "\DATA\SKSE\Plugins\" Usage: Hit
Scroll Lock in-game, direct gaze toward the top right corner of the screen.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/19827/kotekzot
Steam has an in-game FPS counter for any game built into the in-game settings.
From HowToGeek : In Steam (while no games are running), just head to Steam > Settings > In-Game and then pick a position for the FPS display from the “In-game FPS counter” dropdown.
Look at the corner of the screen you chose while playing a game and you'll see the FPS counter.
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MSI Afterburner is another one you can use.
It was working then all of the sudden stopped for me.
Could be just something I am using interfering with it.
One thing worth a shot trying; Download, install, open up Right click on the monitor and go to properties Click the monitoring tab Go down to 'Active Hardware Motioning graphs' Check FPS and below that options
were to show Game Booster also has FPS options.
Will try FRAPS this time.
Above may work well for others or not.
Who knows.
Worth a shot as well.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/31569/Neotropic
If you are using ENB Series ( link ), just press * on your numpad.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/36198/javs
If you have an EVGA video card their tuning utility has the ability to display fps in custom colors/locations.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/38438/UrKungFuNoGood
Really this goes for any game, but for my current needs, how do I measure my Frames per Second in Skyrim?  If possible I would like to avoid installing any additional software.
How do I find my frame rate (in FPS) in Skyrim?
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Skyrim does not provide a method. However, you can use a plugin like Elys Meminfo, MSI Afterburner or Game Booster to see your FPS. While Skyrim does not offer a way to look up FPS in game, there are many ways to do so, mainly by using a third party software or a mod.
It is stated that there is no in game way to look FPS. The community suggests a plethora of external means to look up in game FPS.