OLED Gray Test is useful for people setting up a TV, monitor, laptop, or phone, and for anyone comparing picture settings on a screen they already use. Before you begin, clean the display safely and sit in your usual viewing position; reflections and smudges can make dark areas harder to judge.
How to use OLED Gray Test
- Select a pattern from Pattern mode: 1% digital gray, 2% digital gray, 3% digital gray, 5% digital gray, 10% digital gray, 15% digital gray, 20% digital gray, or 50% digital gray. You can also select a value under Gray level.
- Choose Start Test to view the pattern. Use Previous and Next, or the Left and Right arrow keys, to move between gray levels.
- Start automatic mode with Space if you want the patterns to progress automatically. Reduced motion keeps progression manual.
- Choose Fullscreen or press F to fill the display. Press Escape to exit fullscreen; on phones, use the Exit button or tap the left or right half of the screen to move between patterns.
- Choose Reset or press R to reset the test. Stop if bright patterns cause discomfort.
When to use it
- Checking a new OLED screen: Look for obvious dark bands or patches while you can still return or exchange it.
- Considering a used TV or monitor: Compare several near-black levels to check for uneven dark areas before buying.
- Comparing picture settings: View the same pattern with different settings to see how dark gray tones appear.
- Investigating a tint: Check whether a patch looks like a different hue from the gray around it.
- Checking a display after moving it: Inspect it in its usual setup to see whether a previously noticed area is still visible.
- Learning how gray levels look on your screen: Move from the darkest shades toward brighter gray to see how the appearance changes.
Tips for viewing gray patterns
Start with the darkest levels, then compare neighboring patterns rather than judging the screen from one quick glance. Give your eyes a moment to adjust as you change levels, and note which pattern and screen area make a mark easiest to see. When comparing settings, keep your viewing position and room lighting consistent and change one setting at a time where practical.
Use the patterns for visual comparison, not to decide on a universally correct picture setting. A feature that stands out on a test pattern may be less noticeable in ordinary content, so check whether it affects the way you normally use the display.
Limits of OLED Gray Test
This is a visual check, not a calibrated measurement of brightness, color, or uniformity. The appearance of the patterns depends on gamma, panel settings, and ambient light, so what you see cannot establish the exact cause or severity of an uneven area. OLED Gray Test does not remove burn-in or repair a panel, and avoid leaving static patterns on OLED displays for extended periods.
If a patch remains visible during normal viewing, note where it appears and contact the seller or manufacturer for advice. For a broader visual check of screen consistency, try the Screen Uniformity Test; for pixel defects, use the Dead Pixel Test.