The present disclosure describes various techniques for displaying a visual representation of performance metrics for rendered graphics elements. One example method comprises receiving performance information provided by a graphics processing unit, wherein the performance information has been measured by the graphics processing unit in association with individual graphics elements for rendering a graphics scene, and computing values of a performance metric for the graphics elements based upon the performance information, wherein each computed value is associated with at least one of the graphics elements. The method further comprises assigning graphical identifiers to the graphics elements based upon the computed values of the performance metric for the graphics elements, wherein one of the graphical identifiers is assigned to each of the graphics elements, and displaying the graphics elements, when rendering the graphics scene, according to the graphical identifiers that are assigned to the graphics elements.