HDR10 stands for High Dynamic Range, version 10-bit. It's a technical standard that lets displays show a much larger range of brightness levels and colours than standard video formats. Where normal video clips brightness and colour choices, HDR10 preserves more detail in both the darkest and brightest parts of an image.
The "10-bit" part refers to how colour information is encoded. Standard video uses 8-bit colour (roughly 16 million colours available), whilst HDR10 uses 10-bit colour (over 1 billion colours available). This means smoother gradients and more subtle colour transitions, especially important in scenes with skies, water, or skin tones.
HDR10 is an open standard, which is why you'll find it on almost every modern TV, streaming service, and gaming console. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and gaming platforms all support it. When you watch an HDR10 film or game on a compatible display, blacks look deeper, whites look brighter, and colours appear more vivid and lifelike.
Not all TVs handle HDR10 equally. A cheap budget TV may technically support the standard but lack the brightness or colour accuracy to show the difference. High-end displays with local dimming (separate backlighting zones) and higher peak brightness deliver the most dramatic improvement. Streaming services label HDR10 content clearly so you can tell what's worth watching on your better screen.
When shopping for a TV, monitor, or gaming display, check whether it supports HDR10 and what its peak brightness is measured in nits (a unit of brightness). A display with 400 nits or more will show a noticeable HDR10 difference compared to a basic 200-nit panel.