Color Measurement (Lab) Calculator

Calculate Delta E color difference between two food samples using CIELAB color space (CIE76 and CIE94 formulae).

Sample 1: L* (lightness)

Sample 1: a* (red-green)

Sample 1: b* (yellow-blue)

Sample 2: L* (lightness)

Sample 2: a* (red-green)

Sample 2: b* (yellow-blue)

Tab to move between fields

ΔE*ab (CIE76)

7.35

ΔE*94 (CIE94)

5.54

ΔL* (lightness diff)-5

ΔC*ab (chroma diff)-5.23

ΔH*ab (hue diff)1.27

Hue angle 1 (°)99.5

Hue angle 2 (°)96.8

Perceptibility level5

How to Use This Calculator

Enter L*, a*, and b* values for both a reference sample and the test sample from your colorimeter.
The calculator computes ΔE*ab (CIE76), ΔE*94, ΔL*, ΔC*, ΔH*, hue angles for each sample, and a perceptibility rating.
A ΔE < 1 is imperceptible; 1–2 is a slight difference visible to trained observers; > 3.5 is obvious to consumers.
Use these values to set color acceptance limits for incoming ingredients or finished product release.

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