How to Calibrate a Computer Monitor With a Colorimeter

Over time, the brightness, contrast and color profile of a computer monitor change. This change happens with old CRT monitors, laptop screens and even the newest LCD monitors. These changes make your monitor present a warped view of reality. This may be fine for everyday tasks, but when color matters, calibrating is essential. You can calibrate your monitor with a colorimeter and software.

Instructions

1. Purchase a colorimeter and software package. The colorimeter is a device that attaches to your monitor and takes color, contrast and brightness readings of its output. The software will interpret the readings. Look for a colorimeter bundled with software at a computer hardware retailer.

2. Install the colorimeter software. After installing the software, attach the colorimeter to the monitor and open the software application.

3. Dim the lights. Artificial light can interfere with the readings of the colorimeter.

4. Follow the directions of the software application. Many colorimeter software applications will automatically make the necessary changes to your monitor. Those that do not automatically make the changes will lead you through the process of making the changes.

5. Calibrate your monitor at least once a month. A monitor's brightness, contrast and color settings can change in the span of a week, so also calibrate before any important project where accurate color is important.

6. Remove the colorimeter from the monitor when prompted by the software. The software may also prompt you to save a profile of your monitor which will help with future calibrations.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn your monitor on 30 minutes before you calibrate it. Letting it warm up will give you more accurate calibration results.

• Do not manually change the color settings of your monitor if you choose a save a profile. Manually changing the settings can cause the profile to be inaccurate.