Greyscale Test Online
Is your grey actually grey, or does it have a color cast? This greyscale test shows smooth and stepped greyscale ramps to reveal white-balance tint, color shift, and banding — free, in your browser.
Current pattern
Smooth gradient 1/5
Click to start the greyscale test
Fullscreen · ← → arrows or swipe to change pattern
What the Greyscale Test Reveals
Greyscale is the most sensitive test for color accuracy — any tint is obvious on neutral grey.
Neutral grey everywhere
On a well-balanced screen, every step from black to white is pure grey with no color tint.
Color cast = tint
If dark greys look blue, red, or green, your white balance (color temperature) is off. "Warm" = yellowish, "cool" = bluish.
Banding in the ramp
Visible steps in the smooth gradient indicate limited color depth — see our banding test for detail.
How to Fix a Color Cast
- 1.Reset the monitor to factory settings so you start from a known baseline.
- 2.Choose a color temperature around 6500K (often labeled "warm" or "sRGB") — the neutral, accurate standard.
- 3.Avoid "vivid" or "gaming" picture modes, which deliberately skew color and tint.
- 4.For color-critical work, run the OS calibration tool or use a hardware colorimeter for precise white balance.
Greyscale Test FAQ
Why does my grey look slightly blue or yellow?
That's a white-balance (color temperature) offset. A bluish cast means a "cool" temperature above 6500K; a yellowish cast means "warm," below 6500K. Set the monitor to a 6500K / sRGB mode for neutral grey.
What color temperature should I use?
6500K is the standard for the web, photography, and most content — it gives neutral, accurate greys. Some prefer warmer (~5500–6000K) for evening viewing, but it's less accurate.
Should every grey step be perfectly neutral?
Ideally yes. A consistent tint across all steps is a color-temperature setting issue (easy fix). A tint that changes from dark to light steps points to uneven RGB tracking — harder to fix without calibration.
Do I need a hardware calibrator?
Only for photo or video work where accuracy is critical. For everyday use, a factory reset plus a 6500K color temperature gets you close enough.