Brightness & Contrast Test Patterns

Online full-screen test

Run the test right in your browser, no download needed. Press Start, then click or use the arrow keys to switch patterns. To test a TV or projector without a browser, use the video files further down.

Click / → / Space: next · ←: previous · A: auto-play · Esc: exit

How to run the test

1. Clean the screen and set the display to its native resolution with 100% scaling.
2. Press Start (or pick a pattern below). The test fills the whole screen; the controls hide after a moment.
3. Look over the whole screen on every pattern, from normal viewing distance and then up close.
4. Press Esc to leave. Note where any defect is and photograph it on the pattern that shows it best, e.g. for a warranty claim.

Test patterns and what to look for

Black level

Squares 1–19 on black. You should be able to tell at least the squares from 3 or 4 upward apart from the background. If they merge into black, shadows are crushed: raise brightness or black level, or check the RGB range (full vs limited).

White level

Squares 236–254 on white. If the brightest squares merge into white, highlights are clipped: lower contrast.

Gamma

Step back and squint: the block where the striped surround and the solid centre look equally bright shows your display's approximate gamma. 2.2 is the standard for PCs and the web.

Gradient

Gray and red, green and blue ramps should be smooth. Visible steps (banding) point to a low bit depth, over-processing or a wrong colour profile.

Black

Dead or stuck pixels show up as bright or coloured dots. In a dark room, light leaking from the edges or corners is backlight bleed (LCD) or IPS glow.

White

Dead pixels show up as black dots. Also look for dust behind the panel, a yellow or pink tint, and corners that are darker than the centre.