Monitor gamma test
Click the chart to fill the screen, step back, and find the row where the striped and solid halves match; that row is your gamma.
Screen gamma test workspace
How to use
4 short steps.
Set browser zoom to 100%
Press Ctrl+0 or Cmd+0 and use the display's native resolution. Scaling blurs the one-pixel stripes and breaks the test.
Click the chart to go full screen
Sit back a little farther than usual, or squint, so the stripes blend into a single tone.
Find the matching row
Compare the striped half with the solid half in each row. The row where they look the same brightness is your gamma.
Check red, green, and blue
Press Space for each color chart. All four should match on the same row if the display tracks gamma evenly.
What the result means
Match what you see to one of these.
If the 2.2 row matches, your monitor is set up for normal desktop use
If the striped and solid halves blend on the 2.2 row in gray and in each color, the display follows the sRGB standard closely enough for everyday use.
If a lower row matches, the picture is lighter than standard
If 1.8 or 2.0 matches, midtones look brighter and washed out compared with other screens. Some displays have a gamma setting you can raise.
If a higher row matches, shadows are darker than standard
If 2.4 or 2.6 matches, dark scenes lose detail. That is intended for dim home theatre rooms, not a lit office.
If red, green, and blue match on different rows, the color balance is off
If the channels disagree, gray will shift in tone as it gets darker. Only a colorimeter and calibration software can correct that.
Troubleshooting
If the test fails, try these in order.
Reset zoom and scaling
Set browser zoom to 100% and the operating system scale to 100% if you can, then look at the chart again.
Turn off picture enhancements
Disable dynamic contrast, black enhancement, and vivid or game modes, then compare the rows again.
Use the display's gamma setting
Many monitors offer gamma presets such as 1.8, 2.2, and 2.4. Choose 2.2, then confirm the 2.2 row matches on this chart.
Calibrate with a colorimeter
If accurate tone matters for photo or video work, calibrate with a colorimeter, then run this chart again to confirm.
What this test can't tell you
Where a browser check stops.
- The stripes rely on one CSS pixel matching one physical pixel, so any zoom or scaling makes the match unreliable.
- A visual match is a rough check within about 0.2 and cannot replace a measured calibration.
FAQ
Common questions about this test.
Is gamma 1.8 or 2.2 better?
2.2 is the standard for Windows, current macOS, the web, and most content. 1.8 was the old Mac standard before 2009 and makes images look lighter than intended. Use 2.2 unless a specific workflow asks for something else.
Should gamma be high or low?
Stay at 2.2 for general use. A higher value such as 2.4 makes shadows darker and richer for film in a dark room; a lower value lifts shadows but flattens the image.
How do I read the gamma chart?
Step back until the black and colored stripes blend into one tone, then find the row where the striped half and the solid half look the same. That row's number is your display's approximate gamma.
Can this gamma test calibrate my monitor?
No. It tells you which gamma your display is closest to. Calibration needs a colorimeter and software that writes a profile.