Gradient Banding Test Monitor — Free Online Banding Check
A gradient banding test displays smooth transitions between shades. Cheap panels, poor calibration, and 6-bit displays show visible "steps" — bands — instead of seamless blends. Our Gradient Test renders tonal ramps fullscreen so you can evaluate your monitor in seconds.
What Is Monitor Banding?
Banding (contouring) happens when a display cannot render enough distinct shade levels between two colors. Instead of a smooth ramp from dark to light, you see:
- Visible stripes or steps
- Sudden jumps in brightness
- Color shifts in neutral gradients
Banding is most visible in:
- Skies in photos and games
- Dark scene shadows
- Subtle wallpaper gradients
- Video editing color grades
How to Run the Gradient Banding Test
- Open Gradient Test.
- Set native resolution and fullscreen.
- Dim the room lights.
- Look at each gradient ramp for visible steps.
- Repeat after changing bit depth or calibration settings.
Compare results on Gray Screen for solid-field tint and Pixel Test for defect checks.
What Causes Banding?
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| 6-bit panel + FRC | Expected on budget monitors |
| Low-quality source file | Use higher bit depth content |
| Wrong color profile | Recalibrate or use sRGB mode |
| GPU settings | Disable over-compression |
| Cheap HDMI cable | Try a better cable or DisplayPort |
Some banding is hardware-limited. Knowing your panel's limits prevents chasing unfixable issues.
Gradient Test vs Gray Screen
- Gradient Test — Reveals step count in tonal transitions
- Gray Screen — Reveals tint and uniformity on a single shade
Use both together for a complete midtone evaluation.
Related Tools
Related tools: Gray Screen · White Screen · Black Screen · Refresh Rate Test