Gray / grey screensFullscreenFree images
Gray Screen Test
Compare even gray fields to look for a retained logo, taskbar shadow, tint or uneven patch. Choose a shade below, inspect briefly, then return to normal content.
How to use a gray screen for burn-in and uniformity
- Keep your normal brightness. Disable a color-temperature filter temporarily if you want a neutral comparison; restore your preferred settings afterward.
- Start with mid gray. Look for recognizable outlines of keyboards, navigation bars, logos or desktop taskbars.
- Compare dark and light fields. Record whether the shape stays in the same physical position and which shades reveal it.
- Retest later under the same conditions. Temporary retention may fade. Follow your display maker’s maintenance instructions.
A uniform field is a visual aid. The test cannot read panel wear, measure luminance, detect faults automatically or repair burn-in.
Download plain gray test images
These 1920 × 1080 PNG files contain a single, unmarked color. Open one on a TV, monitor or phone and fit it to the display without cropping. They intentionally contain no logo or text because those would interrupt the diagnostic field. The browser test fills any screen size without needing an image download.
- Download dark gray image (RGB 13)
- Download quarter-gray image (RGB 64)
- Download mid-gray image (RGB 128)
- Download light-gray image (RGB 191)
Gray is not the same as measured brightness
RGB 128 means that each encoded color channel is set to 128 out of 255. It does not mean the screen emits half of its maximum light. Gamma, HDR, display profiles, brightness settings and the panel all affect the result. Likewise, a very dark gray screenshot is not a standardized 5% luminance test. Use a calibrated measurement workflow if you need an objective brightness or color result.
What a shape on gray might mean
A recognizable old logo or taskbar may be image retention or uneven OLED wear. General bands, tint and patches can have other causes, including normal panel variation, processing or camera artifacts. A single test cannot establish permanence. Use the OLED burn-in test to compare red, green and blue as well, then read the burn-in versus image-retention guide for interpretation.
For isolated dark or bright dots, use the dead pixel test. For bright corners on an LCD, compare the black and near-black backlight test. To check an Android phone systematically, follow the Android display and touch checklist.
Gray-screen questions
Can I use a grey image on an OLED TV?
Yes, as a brief visual check. Use a comfortable brightness, compare the same settings later and return to ordinary content after inspection. Do not leave test images displayed overnight.
Will the test fix burn-in?
No. It only reveals differences you can inspect. A web page or downloaded image cannot reverse permanent panel wear.
Why does a phone photo look worse than the screen?
Camera exposure and image processing can exaggerate dark bands or tint. Judge the display with your eyes at the distance and lighting you use, and keep photos comparable when documenting a concern.
Screen testing guides
Need help interpreting results? Read OLED burn-in: how to check for it and how to prevent it.
Browse all step-by-step guides for touch problems, pixel faults, refresh rate, backlight bleed and OLED burn-in.