Monitor Color Test
Test color accuracy, gradients, and RGB channels on your display
Gradient Tests
Check for color banding and smooth gradient transitions. Click any gradient to view fullscreen.
Pure Color Blocks
Test individual color channels and primary/secondary colors.
Grayscale Steps (256 levels)
Each step should be distinguishable. Look for any banding or missing steps.
SMPTE Color Bars
Standard broadcast test pattern.
Color Banding
Visible steps in gradients instead of smooth transitions. Often caused by 6-bit panels.
Color Accuracy
Colors should appear pure without tint. Red should be red, not orange-red.
Calibration
Use monitor OSD settings or calibration software to adjust colors if needed.
Related Tools
What is Monitor Color Testing and Why Is It Important?
A monitor color test evaluates your display's ability to accurately reproduce colors, gradients, and gray scales. This testing is essential for photographers, graphic designers, video editors, and anyone who needs precise color representation. Our free color test tool helps you identify issues with color accuracy, gamma, contrast, and color uniformity.
Without proper color calibration, the images you see on screen may look dramatically different when printed or viewed on other devices. Color accuracy ensures that the reds, blues, greens, and skin tones you're working with appear as intended across all mediums and displays.
Understanding Color Spaces and Display Accuracy
sRGB Color Space
sRGB is the standard color space for web content, consumer displays, and most digital photography. A monitor with 100% sRGB coverage can display all colors within this space accurately. Most content is created in sRGB, making it essential for consistent viewing across devices.
Adobe RGB and DCI-P3
Adobe RGB encompasses a wider range of colors, particularly greens and cyans, important for professional print work. DCI-P3 is the cinema standard, offering vibrant reds and oranges popular in HDR content. Creative professionals often require monitors covering 90%+ of these wider color spaces.
Delta E (ΔE) Color Accuracy
Delta E measures the difference between displayed colors and reference values. A ΔE below 2 is considered indistinguishable to the human eye, while values under 1 represent professional-grade accuracy. Consumer monitors typically achieve ΔE 3-5, which is acceptable for general use.
Testing Gamma, Contrast, and Gray Scale Performance
What is Gamma?
Gamma controls the relationship between input signal and display brightness. The standard gamma value of 2.2 ensures that mid-tones appear correctly balanced. Incorrect gamma makes images appear too dark (high gamma) or washed out (low gamma), affecting shadow detail and overall contrast.
Contrast Ratio Importance
Contrast ratio measures the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks your monitor can display. Higher contrast produces more vivid images with better depth. IPS panels typically achieve 1000:1, VA panels reach 3000:1+, and OLED offers infinite contrast due to true black capability.
Gray Scale Uniformity
A proper gray scale test reveals whether your monitor transitions smoothly from pure black to pure white without color tinting. Banding or visible color casts in gray gradients indicate gamma issues or limited bit depth (8-bit vs 10-bit panels).
How to Calibrate Your Monitor for Accurate Colors
Hardware Calibration Tools
For professional work, hardware colorimeters like the Datacolor Spyder or X-Rite i1Display provide the most accurate calibration. These devices measure your monitor's actual output and create custom ICC profiles that correct color deviations at the system level.
Software-Based Calibration
Windows includes a built-in Display Color Calibration tool accessible through Display Settings. While less precise than hardware calibration, it helps adjust gamma, brightness, and contrast using visual test patterns. macOS offers similar functionality in System Preferences under Displays.
Monitor OSD Settings
Before software calibration, optimize your monitor's on-screen display (OSD) settings. Set brightness to a comfortable level (120-140 cd/m² for typical office lighting), contrast to default or slightly below maximum, and color temperature to 6500K (D65) for sRGB-standard white point.
Color Performance Across Different Panel Technologies
IPS Panels
IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels offer the best color accuracy and widest viewing angles among LCD technologies. Professional monitors for photo editing and design almost exclusively use IPS panels. Colors remain consistent whether viewed straight-on or from the side.
VA Panels
VA panels excel in contrast ratio but may exhibit color shift at angles. They're popular for entertainment and gaming where deep blacks enhance the viewing experience, though color accuracy is generally lower than premium IPS displays.
OLED Displays
OLED monitors deliver exceptional color accuracy, perfect blacks, and wide color gamut coverage. Their self-emissive pixels provide infinite contrast and viewing angles. However, potential burn-in and higher cost remain considerations for professional use.