Free Contrast Test
Test screens
Start from any screen
What to look for
- Black level: you should see most squares from about 5 up on black.
- White level: squares up to about 250 should stand out on white.
- Checkerboard and lines: they should look crisp, not grey or blurry.
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What is a contrast test?
A contrast test helps you set brightness and contrast so you keep detail in both the darkest and brightest parts of a picture. It shows near-black and near-white patches that are hard to see if your settings are off.
This contrast test includes black level patches (1 to 20 on black), white level patches (235 to 254 on white), ten contrast steps, a checkerboard and one-pixel lines. It does not measure your contrast ratio in numbers; it shows whether your current settings hide shadow or highlight detail.
How to set brightness and contrast
1
Pick your normal setting
Use the picture mode and room lighting you normally use.
2
Check black level
Start the test. On the first screen, raise brightness until the low numbers just appear while the background stays black.
3
Check white level
Press → for the white patches and lower contrast until the high numbers are visible. Press Esc to exit.
How to read the contrast patches
Low numbers missing on black
Brightness or black level is too low, so shadow detail is crushed.
Background looks grey, not black
Brightness is too high. Lower it until the background is black again.
High numbers missing on white
Contrast is too high and highlights are clipped.
Checkerboard or lines look blurry
Sharpness processing, scaling or a non-native resolution can soften fine detail.
Related tests
Color Banding Test
Smooth gradients that show stripes
Greyscale Test
Grey ramps and steps for tint and lost shades
Dead Pixel Test
9 colours to find dead and stuck pixels
Black Screen Test
Pure black for hot pixels and light leaks
White Screen Test
Pure white for dead pixels and dust
OLED Screen Test
Burn-in, image retention and dark gray
Backlight Bleed Test
Spot light leaking at the edges
Frequently asked questions
What is a good contrast ratio?
Typical IPS monitors are around 1000:1, VA panels around 3000:1, and OLED screens can show true black. This test does not measure the ratio; it helps you set what you have.
Should I see all 20 black squares?
Not always. Many screens hide the first few. Seeing from about 5 or 6 up is a good result.
Why does my TV need limited range?
Some TVs expect limited range video. If black and white patches both look wrong, check the HDMI range setting on both the source and the TV.
Does room light matter?
Yes. Bright rooms make dark patches harder to see, so test in the light you normally watch in.