Panel & Backlight
Contrast Test
Black-and-white checkerboards to judge black/white separation.
How to use
- 1Click Start and view the checkerboard full-screen.
- 2Use ← / → to change the grid density (4×4 up to 32×32).
- 3Black squares should stay deep black and white squares bright, with crisp edges between them.
- 4Press Esc to exit.
FAQ
What should I look for?
Clean separation between black and white with sharp borders. Greyish blacks indicate low contrast; fuzzy edges can indicate poor sharpness or scaling.
Tips
- Black squares should stay inky black; a grey wash means low contrast or raised black level.
- Fuzzy edges between squares point to scaling or sharpness issues, not contrast.
Related tests
Dead Pixel TestFull-screen solid colors to find dead, stuck, and bright pixels.Backlight BleedReveal LCD backlight leakage and IPS glow in a dark room.Brightness Uniformity50% gray field and a 9-zone grid to spot uneven backlighting.Blooming TestA bright object on black to judge local-dimming halos.
Related guides
Learn more about what this test reveals and how to act on the results.
Gamma Explained: Why Your Shadows Look WrongGamma controls how brightness is distributed between black and white. Here's how to check yours, why 2.2 is the standard, and how to set it.IPS vs VA vs TN vs OLED: Which Panel Should You Get?Color, contrast, response speed and viewing angles compared across all four panel types, with the right pick for gaming, work and movies.PPI and Pixel Density: How Sharp Is Sharp Enough?Resolution alone doesn't tell you how sharp a screen looks — pixel density and viewing distance do. Here's how to work out what you need.HDR Explained: What Makes a Display Actually HDRMost monitors labeled 'HDR' aren't. Here's what real HDR needs — peak brightness, local dimming, contrast and wide color — and how to check.