Color Difference








In color science, color difference or color distance is the separation between two colors.

This visualization compares different color difference algorithms in LAB color space.

How to use:

  1. Adjust Lightness and Chroma to select a base color
  2. Set range values for inner and outer boundaries
  3. Choose different algorithms to see how they measure color distance
  4. Enter hex colors in the palette text area (one per line)

Algorithms compared:

  • Red Mean: Simple weighted Euclidean distance in RGB
  • CIE76: Euclidean distance in LAB color space
  • CIE94: Improved formula accounting for perceptual non-uniformity
  • CIEDE2000: Most accurate perceptual color difference standard

Different algorithms give different results because human color perception is non-uniform. CIEDE2000 best matches how humans actually perceive color differences, important for color matching in printing, textiles, and digital displays.