---
name: "dispcal"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "argyll"
version: "3.3.0+repack-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/dispcal"
---

# dispcal(1)

Calibrate a Display.

## NAME

Calibrate - Calibrate a Display.

## DESCRIPTION

Calibrate a Display

## SYNOPSIS

**dispcal** \[options\] outfile

- **-v** \[n\]

  Verbose mode

**-display** displayname Choose X11 display name

- **-d** n\[,m\]

  Choose the display n from the following list (default 1) Optionally choose different display m for VideoLUT access

-

  1 = 'Screen 1, Output DVI-I-1 at 0, 0, width 1920, height 1080'

- **-dweb\[**:port\]

  Display via a web server at port (default 8080)

- **-c** listno

  Set communication port from the following list (default 1)

-

  \*\* No ports found \*\*

- **-r**

  Report on the calibrated display then exit

- **-R**

  Report on the uncalibrated display then exit

- **-m**

  Skip adjustment of the monitor controls

- **-o** \[profile.icc\]

  Create fast matrix/shaper profile \[different filename to outfile.icc\]

- **-O** "description"

  Fast ICC Profile Description string (Default "outfile")

- **-u**

  Update previous calibration and (if **-o** used) ICC profile VideoLUTs

- **-q** \[vlmh\]

  Quality - Very Low, Low, Medium (def), High

- **-p**

  Use telephoto mode (ie. for a projector) (if available)

- **-t** \[temp\]

  White Daylight locus target, optional target temperaturee in deg. K (deflt.)

- **-T** \[temp\]

  White Black Body locus target, optional target temperaturee in deg. K

- **-w** x,y

  Set the target white point as chromaticity coordinates

- **-b** bright

  Set the target white brightness in cd/m^2

- **-g** gamma

  Set the target response curve advertised gamma (Def. 2.4) Use "-gl" for L\*a\*b\* curve Use "-gs" for sRGB curve Use "-g709" for REC 709 curve (should use **-a** as well!) Use "-g240" for SMPTE 240M curve (should use **-a** as well!) Use "-G2.4 **-f0**" for BT.1886

- **-G** gamma

  Set the target response curve actual technical gamma

- **-f** \[degree\]

  Amount of black level accounted for with output offset (default all output offset)

- **-a** ambient

  Use viewing condition adjustment for ambient in Lux

- **-k** factor

  Amount to correct black hue, 0 = none, 1 = full, Default = Automatic

- **-A** rate

  Rate of blending from neutral to black point. Default 4.0

- **-B** blkbright

  Set the target black brightness in cd/m^2

- **-e** \[n\]

  Run n verify passes on final curves

- **-z**

  Run only verify pass on installed calibration curves

- **-P** ho,vo,ss\[,vs\]

  Position test window and scale it ho,vi: 0.0 = left/top, 0.5 = center, 1.0 = right/bottom etc. ss: 0.5 = half, 1.0 = normal, 2.0 = double etc.

- **-F**

  Fill whole screen with black background

- **-n**

  Don't set override redirect on test window

- **-E**

  Encode the test values for video range 16..235/255

- **-J**

  Run instrument calibration first (used rarely)

- **-N**

  Disable initial calibration of instrument if possible

- **-H**

  Use high resolution spectrum mode (if available)

- **-X** file.ccmx

  Apply Colorimeter Correction Matrix

- **-X** file.ccss

  Use Colorimeter Calibration Spectral Samples for calibration

- **-Q** observ

  Choose CIE Observer for spectrometer or CCSS colorimeter data: 1931\_2 (def), 1964\_10, S&B 1955\_2, shaw, J&V 1978\_2, 1964\_10c

- **-I** b\|w

  Drift compensation, Black: **-Ib**, White: **-Iw**, Both: **-Ibw**

- **-Y** R:rate

  Override measured refresh rate with rate Hz

- **-Y** A

  Use non-adaptive integration time mode (if available).

- **-Y** p

  Don't wait for the instrument to be placed on the display

- **-C** "command"

  Invoke shell "command" each time a color is set

- **-M** "command"

  Invoke shell "command" each time a color is measured

- **-W** n\|h\|x

  Override serial port flow control: n = none, h = HW, x = Xon/Xoff

- **-D** \[level\]

  Print debug diagnostics to stderr

- inoutfile

  Base name for created or updated .cal and .icc output files