diff --git a/python/raytracing/gui_utilities.py b/python/raytracing/gui_utilities.py
index e2963a06..39fb165f 100644
--- a/python/raytracing/gui_utilities.py
+++ b/python/raytracing/gui_utilities.py
@@ -198,6 +198,17 @@ def __init__(self, label):
         self.num_iterations = 0
         self.total_time = 0.0
         self.last_time = time.time()
+        self._visible = False
+        self._text = '-fps (-ms)'
+
+    def set_visible(self, visible):
+        if self._visible == visible:
+            return
+        self._visible = visible
+        if visible:
+            self.label.configure(text = self._text)
+        else:
+            self.label.configure(text = '')
 
     def __call__(self, t):
         self.num_iterations += 1
@@ -206,8 +217,9 @@ def __call__(self, t):
             current_time = time.time()
             fps = self.num_iterations / (current_time - self.last_time)
             time_ms = 1000 * self.total_time / self.num_iterations
-
-            self.label.configure(text='%.1ffps (%dms)' % (fps, time_ms))
+            self._text = '%.1ffps (%dms)' % (fps, time_ms)
+            if self._visible:
+                self.label.configure(text=self._text)
             self.last_time = current_time
             self.num_iterations = 0
             self.total_time = 0.0
diff --git a/python/raytracing/inside_viewer.py b/python/raytracing/inside_viewer.py
index 6b3aeb75..5d2dc748 100644
--- a/python/raytracing/inside_viewer.py
+++ b/python/raytracing/inside_viewer.py
@@ -92,8 +92,9 @@ def __init__(self, container, manifold,
             self.view_scale_value_label,
             update_function=self.widget.draw)
 
-        self.widget.report_time_callback = FpsLabelUpdater(
+        self.widget.fps_label_updater = FpsLabelUpdater(
             self.fps_label)
+        self.widget.report_time_callback = self.widget.fps_label_updater
 
         self.update_volume_label()
 
@@ -543,6 +544,19 @@ def create_quality_frame(self, parent):
             left_end=1.0,
             right_end=4.25,
             update_function=self.widget.draw)
+        row += 1
+
+        misc_frame = ttk.Frame(frame)
+        misc_frame.grid(row=row, column=1, columnspan=3)
+
+        self.fps_box_var = tkinter.BooleanVar()
+        self.fps_box_var.set(False)
+        fps_box = ttk.Checkbutton(misc_frame, takefocus=0)
+        fps_box.grid(row=0, column=0)
+        fps_box.configure(
+            variable = self.fps_box_var,
+            text='Show fps',
+            command=self.show_fps)
 
         return frame
 
@@ -830,6 +844,10 @@ def pick_cohomology_class(self, i):
     def build_menus(self):
         pass
 
+    def show_fps(self):
+        self.widget.fps_label_updater.set_visible(
+            self.fps_box_var.get())
+
     def test(self):
         X = 100
         self.widget.event_generate('<Button-1>', x=X, y=300, warp=True)