How to Set Up a Monitor for Photo Editing

Editing on an uncalibrated screen means your photos look different on every other device. Here's a reliable setup.

Pick the right panel

• IPS for wide viewing angles and consistent color.
• 99%+ sRGB minimum; Adobe RGB coverage if you print.
• True 8-bit or 10-bit to minimize banding.

Calibrate

A hardware colorimeter is strongly recommended for editing. Target:

• Brightness: ~120 cd/m² for a dim room (not max).
• White point: 6500K (D65).
• Gamma: 2.2.

No colorimeter yet? Follow our by-eye calibration guide as a stopgap.

Control your room

• Use neutral, dim lighting — bright or colored light skews your perception.
• Avoid colored walls and desktop wallpapers behind your work; use a neutral gray.

Verify

• Greyscale Test — neutral grays, smooth ramp.
• Brightness Uniformity Test — even backlight so corners aren't misleading you.
• Color Gradient Test — no banding in skies.

Re-calibrate every 4–6 weeks; panels drift as they age.