We systematically investigate the structural, electronic and magnetic properties, bonding analysis, as well as surface morphology of transition metal monoxides (FeO, CoO and NiO) utilizing density functional theory (DFT) with various functionals across from GGA to GGA+U and hybrid functional. Our results reveal that the screened hybrid functional (HSE) could give a reasonable description on structural and electronic properties of these strongly correlated systems when compared to experiments. Local approximation GGA functional fails to yield the accuracy band gaps. GGA+U approximation are rational when given a reasonable U, but the U which reproduce a reasonable band gap often yield a significant error in describing other properties such as lattice constant or magnetic moment. The computed Crystal Orbital Overlap Population (COOP) indicates that cubic FeO and CoO are metastable phase, while the distortion occurs to enhance stability. Based on the reliable functional, the surface morphology of FeO, CoO and NiO are predicted using Wulff construction approach. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.