Color Accuracy Test
Test your monitor's color reproduction quality, gradient smoothness, and grayscale accuracy
How to Use This Test
Tip: For best results, ensure your monitor has been on for at least 30 minutes and adjust room lighting to avoid reflections. Set monitor to default/standard color mode.
Test Patterns:
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1.
Red Gradient: Black to pure red
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2.
Green Gradient: Black to pure green
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3.
Blue Gradient: Black to pure blue
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4.
Grayscale: Black to white gradient
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5.
Grayscale Steps: 0% to 100% in steps
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6.
Color Bars: Standard SMPTE bars
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7.
Rainbow: Full spectrum gradient
What to Look For:
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Banding: Visible steps instead of smooth gradients
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Color Shifts: Tints in grayscale (pink/green)
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Crushing: Loss of detail in dark/bright areas
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Uniformity: Uneven brightness/color
Monitor Types & Expected Performance:
Understanding Color Accuracy
What Affects Color Accuracy?
Color accuracy depends on multiple factors including panel technology, color gamut coverage, calibration, bit depth, and processing quality. Professional monitors typically offer better color reproduction than consumer displays.
Key Color Metrics
| Metric | What It Means | Good Values |
|---|---|---|
| sRGB Coverage | Standard color space coverage | 95%+ for general use |
| Delta E | Color accuracy measurement | <3 acceptable, <1 excellent |
| Bit Depth | Color gradation smoothness | 8-bit minimum, 10-bit ideal |
| Gamma | Brightness curve accuracy | 2.2 standard |
Common Color Issues
- Banding: Usually indicates 6-bit panel or poor processing
- Color Shift: Often viewing angle related (especially TN)
- Oversaturation: "Vivid" modes that distort colors
- Gray Tinting: Poor factory calibration
- Black Crush: Loss of shadow detail (common in VA)
- White Clipping: Loss of highlight detail
Color Accuracy Requirements by Use
Professional Photo/Video Editing:
- • 99%+ sRGB, 90%+ Adobe RGB coverage
- • Delta E < 2 (ideally < 1)
- • 10-bit color depth minimum
- • Hardware calibration support
Graphic Design:
- • 95%+ sRGB coverage minimum
- • Accurate color reproduction
- • Good uniformity across screen
- • Matte finish to reduce glare
General Use/Gaming:
- • 90%+ sRGB acceptable
- • Smooth gradients (no severe banding)
- • Decent gray tracking
- • Personal preference for vibrancy
Calibration Reminder:
Even the best monitors benefit from calibration. Consider a hardware calibrator for color-critical work. Basic calibration can improve any monitor's accuracy.