Before you begin, wipe away smudges and use the brightness and room lighting you normally have when viewing the screen. Check from your usual seating distance, and keep conditions steady if you plan to compare patterns or settings.
How to use Gradient Test
- Choose Start Test to display the pattern.
- In Pattern mode, select Black to white · horizontal, Black to white · vertical, Gradient red, Gradient green, or Gradient blue.
- Use Direction to choose Horizontal or Vertical when comparing a gradient’s orientation.
- Choose Previous or Next to move through the patterns. You can also press Left or Right.
- Choose Fullscreen or press F to expand the view. Press Escape to leave fullscreen. On phones, tap the left or right half to move between patterns; use Exit to leave fullscreen.
- Press Space for automatic mode. If reduced motion is enabled, progression stays manual. Choose Reset or press R to return to the initial state.
When to use it
- Before a return window closes: inspect a new monitor for visible steps or bands while you can still decide whether to return it.
- When considering a used display: run the patterns in person and look for uneven transitions before purchasing.
- After changing display settings: compare the same pattern before and after, keeping other conditions consistent.
- When photos or videos show bands: check whether similar bands appear in a smooth test ramp on the screen.
- When checking a laptop, tablet, or TV: view the patterns at your normal viewing distance to see how transitions look in everyday use.
- When one orientation looks unusual: compare horizontal and vertical grayscale patterns to see whether the visible result changes.
- For a quick color-channel check: compare the red, green, and blue ramps individually for visible transitions or bands.
Tips for a clearer Gradient Test
Keep brightness comfortable and avoid reflections from windows or lamps. If you are comparing display settings, change one at a time and return to the same pattern and viewing conditions for each check.
| Pattern | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Black to white · horizontal | Visible steps or bands across the grayscale transition. |
| Black to white · vertical | Whether the grayscale transition looks different in the other orientation. |
| Gradient red, Gradient green, Gradient blue | Visible transitions or bands in each individual color channel. |
If something looks irregular, note the pattern and direction, then check again without changing your viewing conditions. For a closer look specifically at banding, you can also try the Color Banding Test.
Limits of this test
This Gradient Test is a visual check, not a calibrated measurement or a way to certify a display’s bit depth. Its generated gradients use 8-bit channel values; quantization, dithering, color profiles, and the browser and display pipeline can all affect how banding appears.
A visible band does not identify its cause or prove that the screen has a hardware fault, and the page cannot repair a display. Room lighting and device settings also influence what you see. If an unusual result persists under normal settings, contact the display’s manufacturer or seller for help.