Information current as of 08/31/2026.
Yes. Lowering a monitor’s physical brightness usually reduces electricity use while the display is on, especially on conventional LCD monitors because it reduces backlight output. The amount varies by monitor, and automatic sleep settings or turning the display off when it is not needed are generally more dependable ways to reduce total energy use.
How much electricity does lowering brightness save?
Brightness-related savings are monitor-dependent, so the brightness percentage on the screen is not a universal measure of power reduction. In one controlled test of a 30-inch Dell monitor, lowering brightness by two settings reduced average power draw from 145 watts to 117 watts, or about 19 percent. That result is a specific test example, not a guarantee for every modern monitor.
Brightness setting versus dark content
Lowering the monitor’s physical brightness setting can reduce power while the monitor is operating. By contrast, dark images or dark-mode software do not necessarily reduce power on a conventional LCD, because the backlight may remain on at the same level; the Stanford report also found that displayed colors can affect LCD power draw. OLED monitors behave differently because their pixels are self-lit rather than using a conventional LCD backlight.
Which setting should you change first?
For a practical priority order: first enable automatic monitor power management or Sleep Mode, then turn the monitor completely off during extended periods when it is not needed. After that, set brightness as low as is comfortable for the room’s lighting. ENERGY STAR accounts for both On Mode and Sleep Mode energy use and recommends configuring the display to dim first and then enter a low-power sleep state; a screen saver is not a substitute for power management.
Sources
- Efficiency improvement opportunities for personal computer monitors: implications for market transformation programs
- 27EP950-B UltraFine OLED Pro Monitor
- PowerNet: A Networked Power Monitoring System for the Workplace
- Purchasing Energy-Efficient Displays and Monitors
- Displays Key Product Criteria
- Monitors
Frequently asked questions
Does lowering screen brightness save battery?
For a laptop or other battery-powered device, lowering screen brightness can reduce display power use, but the exact effect depends on the display technology, device, brightness range, and what else the device is doing. For a separate monitor, the relevant benefit is reduced electricity use while the monitor is on; Sleep Mode or turning it off is usually the more dependable step during inactivity.
Does lowering the brightness reduce electricity consumption?
Usually, yes, when you lower the monitor’s physical brightness setting. The amount is not fixed: a controlled test found a 19 percent reduction on one 30-inch Dell monitor, while other displays can respond differently, so use the lowest comfortable setting rather than assuming a specific percentage.