Change your screen color through display settings on Windows or Mac
Your computer's display settings let you adjust the color of your screen in several ways. On Windows, open Settings, go to System, then Display, and look for "Color" or "Night light" options. On Mac, open System Settings, click Displays, then scroll to "Color filters" or "Night Shift" depending on your macOS version. Both systems let you warm or cool your screen's color temperature, reduce blue light, or change the overall color profile your monitor uses.
The method you choose depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If you want to reduce eye strain in the evening, you'll use a different setting than if you're trying to match your screen colors to professional standards. Some changes affect only how you see the screen; others change what the screen actually displays.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and Mac both have built-in color adjustment tools in their display settings that take less than a minute to find and use.
- Night light or Night Shift modes warm your screen's color to reduce blue light in the evening, which may help with sleep.
- Color filters on Mac and accessibility color options on Windows let you adjust how colors appear if you have color blindness or other vision needs.
- If you're adjusting colors for photo or video work, you may need to calibrate your monitor using a separate tool or device for accuracy.
- Monitor physical buttons often provide quick access to brightness and color controls without opening your computer's settings.
Enable Night Light on Windows to warm your screen
Night Light is Windows's built-in tool to reduce blue light and warm your screen's color in the evening. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to System and select Display. Scroll down until you see "Night light" and toggle it on. You can set a schedule so it turns on automatically at sunset and off at sunrise, or you can turn it on and off manually whenever you want.
Once Night Light is on, click "Night light settings" to adjust how warm the screen becomes. A slider lets you move from cooler (more blue) to warmer (more orange). Start with the middle setting and adjust based on what feels comfortable to your eyes. The warmth you choose is personal—there's no "correct" setting.
Use Night Shift on Mac to reduce blue light
Mac's equivalent to Windows Night Light is called Night Shift. Open System Settings, click Displays, and scroll down to find Night Shift. Toggle it on and set a schedule, or turn it on manually. Like Windows, you can choose when it activates—at sunset, at a specific time, or whenever you want.
Click the dropdown next to Night Shift to adjust the color temperature from "Less Warm" to "More Warm." Mac also lets you set different schedules for different days if you work unusual hours. The setting applies to your entire display, so everything on screen will shift color together.
Adjust color filters for color blindness or vision needs
If you have color blindness or other color vision differences, both Windows and Mac offer color filter options. On Windows, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display, then toggle on "Color filters." Choose from Deuteranopia (red-green), Protanopia (red-green), or Tritanopia (blue-yellow) filters depending on your color vision type. Windows will show you a preview of how the screen will look with each filter applied.
On Mac, open System Settings > Accessibility > Display and scroll to "Color filters." Select the filter type that matches your color vision needs. Mac offers similar options and shows you a preview before you explore the change. These filters adjust how your entire screen displays, so all colors shift to make distinctions clearer for your vision.
Change color profile if you work with photos or video
If you edit photos, video, or graphics, you may need to change your monitor's color profile—the standard your screen uses to display colors. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings, then scroll to "Related settings" and click "Color management." You'll see a list of color profiles; choose the one that matches your work (sRGB is standard for web, Adobe RGB for print). Windows will explore it when ready.
On Mac, open System Settings > Displays > Color, and you'll see a dropdown list of available profiles. Choose the profile that matches your work type. If you're doing professional color work, you may need to calibrate your monitor using a separate device called a colorimeter, which measures your screen's actual color output and creates a custom profile. This is beyond the built-in settings and usually costs $100 to $300 for the device and software.
Use your monitor's physical buttons for quick adjustments
Most external monitors have physical buttons or a menu on the back or bottom that let you adjust brightness, contrast, and color temperature without opening your computer's settings. Look for buttons labeled with symbols like a sun (brightness), a circle with lines (contrast), or a thermometer (color temperature). Press the menu button to see your options, then use the arrow buttons to navigate and adjust.
These physical controls are faster if you adjust your screen often throughout the day. They also work the same way whether you're using Windows, Mac, or any other operating system, since they're built into the monitor itself, not your computer. Check your monitor's manual if you're not sure which button opens the menu—different brands use different layouts.
Troubleshoot if your color changes aren't working
If you've turned on Night Light or Night Shift but your screen isn't changing color, check whether a full-screen app is overriding the setting. Some games and video players disable Night Light or Night Shift while they're running. Close the app and the color adjustment should return.
If color filters aren't working, make sure your graphics driver is up to date. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card, and choose "Update driver." On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. If the problem persists, restart your computer—sometimes display settings don't explore until you reboot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Night Light or Night Shift actually help me sleep better?
Research suggests blue light in the evening can interfere with sleep, and reducing it may help some people fall asleep more easily. Whether it works for you is individual. Try using Night Light or Night Shift for a week and notice whether you feel any difference in how quickly you fall asleep. If it helps, keep it on; if not, you can turn it off.
Will changing my color profile affect how other people see my screen?
No. Color profile changes only affect what you see on your monitor. If you're sharing your screen in a video call or presentation, other people see what your camera or screen-sharing software sends them, not your color adjustments. If you're sending files to someone else, the file itself doesn't change—only how your monitor displays it.
Can I set different color settings for different apps?
Windows and Mac don't have built-in tools to explore different color settings to individual apps. Night Light, Night Shift, and color filters explore to your entire screen. If you need different colors for different tasks, you'll need to manually switch settings when you change apps, or use third-party software designed for that purpose.
What's the difference between brightness and color temperature?
Brightness controls how light or dark your screen is overall—it's like turning a lamp up or down. Color temperature controls whether your screen looks more blue (cool) or more orange (warm). You can have a bright, warm screen or a dim, cool screen. They're separate adjustments.
Do I need to calibrate my monitor if I'm just browsing the web?
No. Monitor calibration is only necessary if you're doing work where color accuracy matters—photo editing, video production, or graphic design. For everyday browsing, email, and documents, the default color settings on your monitor are fine.