Color & Calibration
Gamma Test
Stripe-vs-patch pattern to read your display's gamma.
▶ Start full-screen testTap for controls · Esc to exit
How to use
- 1Click Start and step back a little (the stripes should blur into solid grey).
- 2Compare each labelled patch (γ 1.8–2.4) against the striped background.
- 3The patch that most disappears into the stripes is your display's gamma — aim for 2.2.
- 4Press Esc to exit.
FAQ
What gamma should I target?
2.2 (sRGB standard) for general use. If the lower-value patches blend in, your gamma is too low (washed out); if the higher ones match, it's too high (crushed shadows). Adjust the monitor's gamma preset or OS calibration.
Do Mac and Windows use different gamma?
Not any more. Both target 2.2 by default; macOS moved from 1.8 to 2.2 in 2009. What differs is each display's own response, and that is what this test reads.
Is this as accurate as a calibration tool?
No. It gives a good visual estimate of your display's gamma around mid-grey, but it can't measure the whole curve from black to white, or correct it. A colorimeter does both.
Tips
- Step back until the stripes blur into solid grey before comparing the patches.
- Aim for the 2.2 patch to disappear; if a lower value blends in your image is washed out, a higher one means crushed shadows.
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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.How to Calibrate Your Monitor Without a ColorimeterGet noticeably better color and contrast by eye using built-in OS tools and test patterns — no hardware required, and no guesswork either.How to Set Up a Monitor for Photo EditingGamut, brightness, calibration, and room-lighting choices that keep your edits looking right on other people's screens and in print.The Complete New-Device Screen Test ChecklistA 10-minute routine to inspect any new laptop, monitor, phone, or TV for dead pixels, bleed and tint before the return window closes.