03TONAL RESPONSE / GAMMA

Grayscale & Gamma Test

Inspect sixteen neutral steps, estimate your effective gamma with a classic line-pattern chart and compare how red, green and blue track the gray ramp.

3 patterns
Fullscreen
No install

Browser-generated pattern · Not a laboratory measurement

PATTERNS / 03

Patterns in this test

Each pattern targets a different symptom. Start from the top, or jump straight to the one you need.

01

16 gray steps

All sixteen steps should be distinct and neutral. Count how many dark steps you can separate from black.
02

Gamma chart · 1.8–2.6

Step back or squint until the stripes blur. The block whose centre disappears shows your approximate gamma; 2.2 is typical.
03

Gray, red, green and blue steps

Each row should rise evenly. A colour row that clips early or jumps in brightness reveals a channel imbalance.

PROTOCOL / 01—04

How to use this test

Keyboard and touch

→ · Space · Enter · click: Next pattern
←: Previous pattern
I: Keep the hint panel visible
Esc: Exit fullscreen
Tap or move: Show controls on touch screens and mice

01
Clean the screen gently and let it reach its normal operating temperature.
02
Set browser zoom to 100% and use the brightness and picture mode you normally use.
03
Start fullscreen mode. Each pattern shows a short hint about what to look at.
04
Observe from your normal position first, then move closer only to inspect a detail.

OBSERVE

What to look for

Every one of the sixteen steps separate from its neighbours
The gamma block whose solid centre blends into its striped surround
Even step spacing in the gray, red, green and blue rows

INTERPRET

How to read the result

Merged dark steps suggest black crush; merged bright steps suggest white clipping. On the gamma chart, the block that blends best shows your approximate effective gamma: 2.2 is the usual target for desktop and web content. A channel row that clips early points to a colour imbalance.

LIMITS

Limits of a browser test

Browser colour management, ICC profiles, HDR tone mapping and GPU output levels affect the result. The gamma chart needs 100% browser zoom and native resolution. Use a hardware colorimeter for calibration.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

01How does the gamma chart work?

Each surround alternates fully black and fully white one-pixel lines, which together emit 50% of maximum light. The solid centre is the gray value that should emit the same light at a given gamma. Step back or squint until the lines blur: the block whose centre disappears shows your effective gamma.

02Should every near-black step be visible?

Not always in normal room light. Let your eyes adapt and use the display’s intended black level before changing settings. The contrast test examines the darkest levels in finer steps.

03Why does gray look coloured?

Colour temperature, panel tinting, viewing angle or calibration can add a cast. Compare several gray levels before drawing a conclusion.

Grayscale & Gamma Test

Patterns in this test

16 gray steps

Gamma chart · 1.8–2.6

Gray, red, green and blue steps

How to use this test

Keyboard and touch

What to look for

How to read the result

Limits of a browser test

Frequently asked questions

Continue checking

Color banding

Colour & gamut

Contrast detail