Question 1

What is a checkerboard test used for?

Accepted Answer

Checkerboard patterns test your monitor ability to render the finest possible detail. A 1px checkerboard should display as a uniform medium gray if your screen is at native resolution. If you see distinct squares or moire patterns, your resolution or scaling may be off.

Question 2

Why does the 1px checkerboard look gray?

Accepted Answer

At 1:1 pixel mapping (native resolution), a 1px black/white checkerboard looks uniformly gray because individual pixels are too small for the eye to resolve separately at normal viewing distance. This is the expected result and confirms proper pixel mapping.

Question 3

What causes moire patterns?

Accepted Answer

Moire patterns appear when there is a mismatch between pixel pitch and display resolution - usually caused by non-native resolution, display scaling, or viewing through a camera. On a native-resolution monitor with proper scaling, patterns should be clean.

Question 4

How do I use this to check for stuck pixels?

Accepted Answer

Use the 2px or 4px checkerboard and look carefully for any squares that do not match the alternating pattern. A stuck pixel will remain a fixed color rather than switching between black and white. For more thorough pixel detection, use the dedicated Dead Pixel Test tool.

Checkerboard Test

Expected results

Frequently Asked Questions