You’ve seen us devote a fair amount of space in monitor reviews to the measurement of gamma. Here we have the opportunity to explain that concept in greater detail.
What is gamma, exactly? Each brightness point between zero and 100 percent has to have a certain value (luminance) in order to match the gamma of the camera that created the image. One might think this relationship is linear. For example, a 50-percent signal equals 50-percent light output. But this is not the case. Look at the table below.
| Signal Level | Y (cd/m2) |
|---|---|
| 0% | 0.40 |
| 10% | 2.02 |
| 20% | 7.36 |
| 30% | 17.35 |
| 40% | 31.73 |
| 50% | 52.06 |
| 60% | 76.90 |
| 70% | 108.99 |
| 80% | 145.97 |
| 90% | 190.37 |
| 100% | 239.68 |
This is a series of measurements from a monitor that tracks a 2.2 gamma value very closely. The minimum black level is .39 cd/m2 and the max white is 239.67 cd/m2. If the display’s gamma were linear, a 50-percent signal should result in a light level of 119.84 cd/m2. The actual value is less than half that figure at only 52.01 cd/m2. Why? We need a short history lesson to find the answer.
The first displays used cathode ray tubes to create their images. Electrons were fired at an array of chemical phosphors, which in turn produced light. As it turned out, the intensity of light produced did not vary in a linear fashion. As in the table above, it was logarithmic. Obviously, cameras and other recording devices had to match this output curve. And they still do to this day, even though the CRT is no longer with us. Nearly all imaging devices, whether they are input- or output-oriented, are engineered to a gamma of 2.2. While there are variations, 2.2 is the accepted norm for video and still photography. If your monitor tracks 2.2, it will match the incoming signal from pretty much any source.
How do we measure this? It’s easy to gather the data when we measure grayscale. The patterns are windows that represent signal intensity from 0 to 100 percent. For each measurement, we record a Y (luminance) value. Then our software calculates the difference between the measured and target values. From that difference, a gamma number is generated. The closer this number is to 2.2, the better.

This window pattern is just like the one generated by our Accupel DVG-5000. The center square is 100 percent brightness and the background is 0 percent. When we measure gamma, the window varies from 0 to 100 in 10 percent increments.
Let’s look at the table again, but this time with the gamma values and Y targets.
| Signal Level | Y (cd/m2) | Target Y | Gamma |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 0.40 | 0.00 | 2.20 |
| 10% | 2.02 | 1.53 | 2.08 |
| 20% | 7.36 | 7.02 | 2.17 |
| 30% | 17.35 | 17.13 | 2.19 |
| 40% | 31.73 | 32.25 | 2.22 |
| 50% | 52.06 | 52.69 | 2.22 |
| 60% | 76.9 | 77.38 | 2.21 |
| 70% | 108.99 | 108.89 | 2.20 |
| 80% | 145.97 | 146.33 | 2.21 |
| 90% | 190.37 | 189.88 | 2.18 |
| 100% | 239.68 | 239.68 | 2.20 |
When the value is higher than 2.2, it means that output level is too dark. If the value is below 2.2, then the output is too bright. By comparing the actual measurements to the targets, you can see how far off you are. This display (a Samsung S27B970D) is pretty close to perfect.

This is the graphical representation we use in our reviews. It’s easy to see where even the tiniest errors are.
So how does this relate to a monitor’s calibration controls? It's actually fairly simple, since the vast majority of computer monitors with gamma controls only include presets. There’s no way to edit the gamma curve itself. What do we mean?
With presets, you have only one gamma curve available, which you can move up and down. The shape doesn’t change, only its relationship to 2.2. If you start with flat tracking, as illustrated above, you only need to find the preset that gets you closest to 2.2. If the tracking isn’t flat, like the chart below, there isn’t much to do except get at close to 2.2 as possible.

In this example, the gamma is OK until around 60 percent, where it starts to dip. Then it takes a huge dive at 90 percent. The only way to correct this is with multi-point gamma control, which lets you edit each brightness point individually. Unfortunately, these are quite rare on computer monitors (and on displays in general). We’ve only seen them on a few high-end televisions and projectors.
Here’s Gavin again,. This time, we’re simulating altered gamma by using the Curves editor in Photoshop.

By setting the gamma too high, we’ve reduced shadow detail almost to the point of clipping. Of course, you can do this to create a certain effect, but you’ve changed the original image and reduced much of the shadow detail to a minimum. It’s there, just very hard to see.
Now we’ll set the gamma too low.

This is similar to setting the white level too high. Detail in the bright areas is very difficult to discern and the whole picture looks over-exposed.
It’s obvious from the photos that poor gamma can have nearly the same effect on image quality as incorrect levels. That’s why it’s so important to a monitor’s perceived contrast that gamma be correct. You can have deep blacks, bright whites, and a fantastic contrast ratio. But if the gamma is off, much of that dynamic range is wasted.
Now we’ll move into grayscale, which, as we’ll see, is at the center of everything when it comes to color.
- The Two Reasons To Calibrate Your Monitor
- Levels: The Key To Contrast And Detail
- Gamma: The Key To Maximum Image Depth
- Grayscale: Why White Is The Color Of Everything
- Gamut: What Color Is Your Monitor?
- Application: How To Adjust Levels
- Application: How To Adjust Gamma
- Application: How To Adjust Color Temperature
- Application: How To Adjust Color
- Calibrate Your Monitor For A Better Picture
I have no idea how my monitor was off until i saw the patterns
Now perfectly set for brightness/contrast:first,third,and fourth pattern(although on this i notice cliping on the blue).
However second pattern couldn't set it right.Darkest bar which should be almost cliping to the background is too "black",and the next "12" bar is more closely match to the background in colour.
Any thoughts someone? I use Philips 227Eqha IPS monitor.
I love these articles. =)
Seems to be an interesting read so far, and I've really wanted to read an article like this, so thanks in advance!
It's written the other (incorrect?) way around in the article, i think.
Shouldn't it be "above D65"?
It's written the other (incorrect?) way around in the article, i think.
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/gamma-correction.htm
That's incorrect. It actually works backwards/opposite from what one might think. Color temperature originates from the color a flame radiates in relation to the temperature at which it burns. Think back to grade school and playing with the Bunsen burner... the hottest part of the flame (i.e., higher Kelvin) is in the darkest blues, not the reds (i.e, lower temperature/Kelvin). This simple picture helps explain the difference.
Shouldn't it be "above D65"?
Warm (reddish) colors are below 6500K, whereas cool (bluish) colors are above 6500K.
Try installing a full featured driver from your video hardware manufacturer.
But don't most monitors have a "backlight" option which changes how bright the image without adjusting the contrast & brightness? This can used to effectively adjust liminance, but at superficial global adjustment level rather than a granular control. None the less, one can then put preference on the brighter or darker end depending on their use case(s).
Grayscale can be confusing too. As the temperature gets lower, the color is said to get warmer.
Ojas, the photo on page 2 showing a higher black level is correct. As you raise the black level, blacks get brighter and become more gray.
-Christian-
But don't most monitors have a "backlight" option which changes how bright the image without adjusting the contrast & brightness? This can used to effectively adjust liminance, but at superficial global adjustment level rather than a granular control. None the less, one can then put preference on the brighter or darker end depending on their use case(s).
Unfortunately, very few monitors have separate backlight and brightness controls. None of the screens we've covered this year (16 including reviews not published yet) have a backlight control. This kind of thing is common on HDTVs but not computer monitors and that is a shame. With brighter screens, it's really nice to be able to move the dynamic range up or down to get better blacks or brighter whites, depending on application.
-Christian-
It's written the other (incorrect?) way around in the article, i think.
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/gamma-correction.htm
That's incorrect. It actually works backwards/opposite from what one might think. Color temperature originates from the color a flame radiates in relation to the temperature at which it burns. Think back to grade school and playing with the Bunsen burner... the hottest part of the flame (i.e., higher Kelvin) is in the darkest blues, not the reds (i.e, lower temperature/Kelvin). This simple picture helps explain the difference.
Shouldn't it be "above D65"?
Warm (reddish) colors are below 6500K, whereas cool (bluish) colors are above 6500K.
Grayscale can be confusing too. As the temperature gets lower, the color is said to get warmer.
Ojas, the photo on page 2 showing a higher black level is correct. As you raise the black level, blacks get brighter and become more gray.
-Christian-
Thanks for clarifying that! I even changed gamma on my monitor to see what happens before i posted, i guess i misinterpreted what was happening.
That would be very useful, along with some recommendations of affordable "meters".