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Monitor / test hub

Monitor test

Six tests to check your monitor before you trust it. Dead pixels, refresh rate, burn-in, backlight bleed, screen tearing, and pixel density.

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  • Works in your browser

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Pick the check that matches what you want to verify. Each tool runs in your browser.

Dead pixel test

Cycle through fullscreen colors to spot dead or stuck pixels.

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Refresh rate test

Measure your actual Hz and compare motion at different frame rates.

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Burn-in test

Check for OLED burn-in or LCD image retention with 8 test patterns.

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Backlight bleed test

Reveal light leaking from edges and corners on near-black screens.

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Screen tearing test

Check V-Sync, FreeSync, and G-Sync with scrolling test patterns.

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PPI calculator

Calculate pixel density to know if your resolution matches your screen size.

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Compare monitor sizes

See how 24, 27, 32, and ultrawide panels compare at proportional scale before you buy.

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What to check on a new monitor

A practical first pass for a new or used panel while the relevant return or support window is still open.

Run the checks soon after a new panel arrives, while the seller’s return period is open. A stuck pixel can go unnoticed if you skip the solid-color sweep and go straight to gaming.

Start with the dead pixel test in a dim room. Defects that hide during normal browsing can be easier to see on solid colors. Then run the refresh rate test and compare it with the setting selected in your operating system; a panel’s advertised maximum is not always the active mode.

If you bought OLED, run the burn-in test on gray before you mount the monitor. Used panels from marketplaces deserve the same check. Finish with the PPI calculator so you know whether your resolution matches your screen size. A 27-inch 1080p panel looks soft next to 1440p at the same size.

Document anything you find with photos while the screen shows a single test pattern. Return windows are short. Warranty claims need proof.

Monitor specs that matter for gaming

Response time, refresh rate, panel type, and how resolution interacts with size.

Refresh rate is the number that changes how motion looks in shooters. 144Hz is the baseline for competitive play. 240Hz and above help tracking if your GPU can feed the frames. A panel capped at 60Hz feels blurry next to 144Hz even with the same resolution.

Response time measures how fast pixels switch color. Lower is better for reducing ghosting behind fast targets. Manufacturer numbers use aggressive test methods. Real-world motion clarity depends on overdrive settings and panel type together.

Panel type sets the tradeoffs. IPS gives accurate colors and wide viewing angles. VA pushes deeper blacks but can smear in dark scenes. OLED is the fastest with the best contrast, but static HUDs can cause burn-in over thousands of hours.

Resolution vs. size defines sharpness. A 27-inch 1080p panel sits around 82 PPI. The same size at 1440p hits 109 PPI. The difference shows up on minimap text before character models. Match resolution to how close you sit and what your GPU can push.

Monitor test FAQ

Dead pixels, refresh rate, burn-in, and what to check on a new panel.

A monitor test checks your display for defects and confirms it runs at the advertised specs. Dead pixel tests spot broken subpixels. Refresh rate tests verify your Hz setting. Burn-in tests reveal ghost images on OLED and LCD panels. PPI calculators tell you if your resolution matches your screen size.
Run a fullscreen solid-color cycle in a dim room. Dead pixels stay black on every color. Stuck pixels stay one color no matter what fills the screen. Test soon after delivery and photograph any defects while the seller’s return period is open.
Open a browser refresh rate test in fullscreen and read the effective Hz it receives. If a high-refresh panel is reporting about 60Hz, check the operating-system display setting, the selected input, cable bandwidth, and any variable-refresh or power-saving setting. The exact reading can vary with browser scheduling and display mode.
Burn-in is permanent ghosting from static HUD elements aging pixels unevenly. Image retention on LCD is usually temporary. A gray fullscreen pattern is the fastest way to spot both. Faint outlines of icons or minimap corners on gray mean you have retention or burn-in worth documenting.
It is sensible to test a new panel soon after delivery, while the seller’s return period is still open. Check that seller’s actual deadline and the monitor’s model-specific warranty because defect and burn-in policies differ.
Refresh rate and response time affect motion clarity in shooters. Panel type sets contrast and viewing angles: IPS for color accuracy, VA for deeper blacks, OLED for speed and contrast. Resolution and size together define PPI. A sharp 1440p 27-inch panel beats a soft 1080p panel at the same size.

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Related guides

Step-by-step articles for each monitor check and resolution choice.

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