The described embodiments relate to methods and systems for detecting the blockiness of a video signal comprised of a number of pixels. The method includes the steps of calculating a total number of pixels in the video signal in flat blocks and visible block edge transitions, and generating a blockiness indicator from the total number of pixels in flat blocks and visible block edge transitions. The step of calculating the total number of pixels in flat blocks and the total number of pixels in visible block edge transitions may include calculating differential values for each pixel in the video signal, analyzing the differential values to determine if the pixel is part of a transition and/or a flat area and then counting the number of pixels in flat blocks and visible block edge transitions to produce a total number of pixels in flat blocks and a total number of pixels in visible block edge transitions.