This visual check is useful for anyone deciding whether a display’s motion looks comfortable for everyday use, including people comparing an older screen with a replacement. For a fair comparison, use your usual viewing position and keep other display settings the same while you observe.
How to use Ghosting Test
- Select Start Test to open the test view. Pattern mode is Moving edge target.
- Use Previous and Next to move through the available test views.
- Select Start motion to begin moving the target. Motion starts paused, so you need to start it explicitly.
- Choose a value under Target speed: 120 CSS px/s, 240 CSS px/s, or 480 CSS px/s. Follow the high-contrast target with your eyes and look for visible trails around or behind it.
- Select Fullscreen for a larger view. Press F to enter fullscreen, R to reset, Space to start or pause motion, and Escape to exit fullscreen.
When to use it
- Before a return window closes: Check a newly purchased monitor while you still have time to compare it with your expectations.
- When considering a used display: Watch the moving edge target before buying, alongside checks for other visible screen issues.
- After changing overdrive: Compare how motion looks with your previous setting, changing one option at a time.
- When tuning a gaming display: Inspect the target at different speeds to see whether motion trails are noticeable to you.
- When comparing screens: View each monitor from a similar distance and at the same target speed to make your visual impressions easier to compare.
- After changing display settings: Recheck the screen if motion looks different in games, scrolling, or other everyday use.
- As an occasional visual check: Use the pattern to see whether the display’s motion presentation still looks as expected to you.
Tips for a clearer visual check
Let your eyes follow the target smoothly rather than staring at one fixed point. Begin at a comfortable speed, then compare the other options; a trail that is easy to notice at one speed may be less apparent at another. If you are comparing settings or screens, keep your viewing distance and room lighting consistent and note what you changed.
| Target speed | How to use it |
|---|---|
| 120 CSS px/s | Start with slower target movement. |
| 240 CSS px/s | Compare with a medium target speed. |
| 480 CSS px/s | Compare with faster target movement. |
The Ghosting Test can help you describe what you see, but treat your notes as a visual comparison rather than a pass-or-fail result. Stop if following the moving target makes you uncomfortable.
Limits of the Ghosting Test
The test does not draw artificial trails or calculate a hardware score. What you see is affected by browser frame pacing, your eye movement, the display’s overdrive and the panel itself, so the same screen may look different under different conditions. This is a visual monitor test, not a calibrated measurement or a way to repair a display.
If you notice a persistent issue, compare it again with your usual display settings and consider checking the manufacturer’s guidance or contacting the seller. For a broader inspection, you can also try the Response Time Test or Monitor Test; these are visual checks too, not substitutes for professional measurement.