This visual check is useful when setting up a new display, inspecting a used screen, or reviewing a change to its picture settings. For a fair comparison, keep the room lighting and viewing position similar while you use the display’s own brightness controls.
How to use Brightness Test
- Select an option under Pattern mode: Nine patches, Grayscale, or 50% digital gray.
- Select Start Test to begin. On the Nine patches pattern, compare the steps from left to right, then top to bottom. The black patches have RGB values 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 32; the white patches have values 224, 232, 240, 244, 248, 250, 252, 254, and 255. Each value applies equally to the red, green, and blue channels.
- Change brightness with your monitor, laptop, or other display’s controls, then look at the pattern again. Use the same pattern to compare settings rather than changing the test and the display setting at the same time.
- Select Previous or Next to move between patterns. You can also use the Left and Right arrow keys. Press Space to use automatic mode; reduced motion keeps progression manual.
- Select Fullscreen, or press F, to expand the pattern. In fullscreen, tap the left or right half of the screen to go to the previous or next pattern. Legends stay outside the fullscreen view, so note any values you need first.
- Select Reset or press R to reset. To leave fullscreen, press Escape; on phones, use the Exit button that stays on screen.
When to use it
- Checking a new monitor before the return period ends: Look for steps that blend together or are difficult to distinguish.
- Inspecting a used laptop or monitor before buying: Compare the dark and bright patches for visible differences.
- Comparing brightness settings: Adjust the display controls and check how the same pattern appears at each setting.
- Setting up a replacement screen: Use the patterns as a visual reference while choosing an everyday level.
- Checking after changing picture settings: Revisit the near-black and near-white steps to see how their visibility looks now.
- Troubleshooting a screen that looks dim or washed out: Use the patterns as an initial check before investigating further.
- Comparing two displays: Show the same pattern on each screen, while remembering that their settings and viewing conditions may differ.
Tips for a useful brightness check
Use your display’s controls to adjust brightness and leave the on-screen pattern unchanged as you compare. The Brightness Test is a visual reference, so concentrate on whether neighboring steps remain distinguishable rather than looking for a target score.
Check both ends of the pattern: near-black patches help you inspect dark-step visibility, while near-white patches show the bright steps. For Nine patches, read across each row before moving down. If you need to refer to the patch values in fullscreen, note them first because the legends remain outside that view.
Keep the screen at a comfortable level. Stop if bright patterns cause discomfort and avoid prolonged exposure to a bright screen.
Limits of the Brightness Test
The Brightness Test does not provide a calibrated measurement or set the display’s hardware brightness. It shows patterns for visual comparison; the appearance depends on your screen and its current settings. For measured calibration, use a hardware calibrator. If you suspect a persistent fault, contact the seller or manufacturer.
For a closer look at bright-step visibility, try the White Level Test. To focus on dark-step visibility, use the Black Level Test.