Sharpness Test
Use fine grids and high-contrast 1-pixel lines to check perceived sharpness, scaling quality and over-sharpening halos. Running a non-native resolution will add softness. Excessive monitor “clarity/sharpness” can produce light/dark halos around edges and coloured fringes from subpixel rendering.
Tip: Set your OS to the panel’s native resolution. On Windows, run ClearType tuning; on macOS, try toggling font smoothing and adjust Display scaling for pixel-perfect output.
- Click Start Test and enter fullscreen.
- View from your normal distance; look for coloured fringes, moiré or halos.
- Adjust monitor sharpness/clarity and OS scaling to compare results.
Sharpness — FAQ
Why does text look soft?
Often the system is rendering at a non-native resolution or scaled. Set the OS to your panel’s native resolution and retest.
What causes halos around lines?
Over-sharpening filters add light/dark outlines. Reduce the monitor’s sharpness/clarity control until halos disappear.