YouTube Video Color Correction: Why It Looks Washed Out — and How to Fix It

Ever finish color grading your video, only to upload it to YouTube and wonder, “Why does this look… flat?” You’re not alone. Here’s what causes that gamma shift — and how to stop it.

You perfect the color. You finesse the contrast. You upload to YouTube… and suddenly, your image looks dull and lifeless.

If you’re looking for help with YouTube video color correction, you’re not alone. Many creators deal with contrast shifts and washed out footage after uploading.

This issue — often called the YouTube gamma shift — has frustrated countless creators, filmmakers, and editors. It’s especially noticeable when uploading footage graded in Rec.709 gamma 2.4, which ends up looking more like 2.2 gamma on playback.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• Why this happens

• Whether YouTube has fixed it

• How to protect your image using Rec.709-A

• And how you can fix remaining shifts with a free LUT I’ve created

1. Understanding Gamma: 2.4 vs. 2.2

Let’s simplify:

• Gamma 2.4 is the standard for professional video grading — especially in DaVinci Resolve and broadcast specs

• Gamma 2.2 is more common for web display and most non-color-managed browsers

So when you export in 2.4 but YouTube plays it back assuming 2.2, you’ll notice:

• Lifted shadows

• Washed-out blacks

• A general loss of punch

It’s not your grade that’s the problem — it’s how YouTube is interpreting the file.

2. Why YouTube Video Color Correction Is So Frustrating

For years, YouTube (and most web players) ignored gamma flags in video files.

This meant:

• Files exported in Rec.709 gamma 2.4 were interpreted as Rec.709 gamma 2.2

• Resulting in a flatter, less contrasty image

Apple’s QuickTime and Safari compounded this by using their own display gamma assumptions, making the same video look totally different across platforms.

This wasn’t a DaVinci Resolve issue — the same thing happened in Premiere Pro, Final Cut, and even through professional encoders.

3. The Rec.709-A Fix in DaVinci Resolve

To combat this inconsistency, Blackmagic introduced Rec.709-A (“A” for Apple). This gamma setting tells systems — especially macOS — to treat the file like a display-ready Rec.709 2.4 video.

How to Apply It:

• In the Deliver page of DaVinci Resolve

• Under Color Space Tag, choose:

  • Color Space: Rec.709

  • Gamma: Rec.709-A

• Export using ProRes or H.264

This doesn’t change your grade — it changes how the file is interpreted on playback. For many creators, it solved the problem.

4. Has YouTube Fixed This in 2025?

Mostly — but not fully.

YouTube has made improvements in how it handles gamma, especially for properly tagged uploads. But problems still arise if:

• You export without setting metadata tags

• Your NLE strips metadata during encoding

• You watch on a display that overrides gamma interpretation

For creators uploading H.264 from Premiere or ProRes from Resolve, washed-out playback still happens, especially when switching between Chrome, Safari, or the YouTube mobile app.

🎁 Bonus: Free LUT to Reverse Gamma Shifts

If you're still seeing contrast loss — even after tagging your file as Rec.709-A — I’ve created a custom LUT you can apply in your timeline to compensate for that gamma shift.

This is especially useful if:

• You’re working in a Rec.709-A timeline, and it’s too flat in-browser

• Your clients are viewing on MacBooks or color-unmanaged monitors

• You want a dead-simple fix that doesn’t mess with your overall workflow

👉 Click here to get the LUT — just enter your email and I’ll send it straight to your inbox, along with quick instructions.

No spam. Just a LUT that solves a problem.

5. Recommended Export Settings for Web-Safe Color

DaVinci Resolve

• Format: QuickTime (ProRes 422 or H.264)

• Color Space Tag: Rec.709

• Gamma Tag: Rec.709-A

• Bit Depth: 10-bit

• Data Levels: Auto

Adobe Premiere Pro (2025)

• Enable Display Color Management in preferences

• Export as H.264, High Profile, VBR 2-pass

• Monitor using Lumetri scopes — not just your screen

Final Cut Pro

• Export through Compressor for full metadata control

• Avoid faster encode settings that ignore gamma

• Use HDR Tools plugin for proper SDR tagging

6. A/B Test Before You Publish

Before you click “Publish” on YouTube, follow this checklist:

• Upload the video as Unlisted

• Watch it on:

  • Chrome (Windows)

  • Safari (Mac)

  • YouTube mobile app

• Compare it to your NLE playback or original export

If it looks off, go back and double-check your Color Space, Gamma Tag, and Data Levels. Or apply the LUT to nudge it back.

Conclusion: The Fix Isn’t a Trick — It’s a Workflow

If your YouTube video looks washed out, you’re not crazy — and you’re not alone.

By understanding how gamma behaves across platforms — and how tools like Rec.709-A and smart LUTs help — you’ll preserve the look you worked hard to build.

🎬 Want help exporting professional masters or setting up a color-safe workflow?👉 Get a Quote from Testament Productions

About the Author

Mark Ledbetter is a colorist and post-production consultant at Testament Productions. He helps creators and filmmakers navigate the technical side of storytelling — from perfect color to rock-solid exports.