RGB coordinates of the Macbeth ColorChecker 
 
 
Danny Pascale 
The BabelColor Company 
dpascale@BabelColor.com 
www.BabelColor.com  
© 2000-2006 Danny Pascale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract. The ColorChecker chart, manufactured by GretagMacbeth, 
is  commonly  used  as  a  reference  target  for  photographic  and  video 
production  work.  This  document  provides  RGB  coordinates,  in  8-bit 
and 16-bit formats, for all color patches in four common RGB spaces 
(Adobe,  Apple,  ProPhoto,  and  sRGB),  which  are  defined  in  terms  of 
primaries, Illuminant, and gamma response. The method and equations 
used to derive the data are presented as well. Reference data provided by 
the chart’s manufacturer is compared to user-measured values. 
 
Subject terms: ColorChecker, RGB coordinates, RGB space, color space, 
color conversion. 
 
 
Complete update 
June 1st, 2006 
RGB and ProPhoto, are not given. This paper’s purpose is to 
provide numbers for these spaces, in both 8 bits per primary 
(24 bits for R’G’B’) and 16 bits per primary formats (48 bits 
for R’G’B’), as well as present the method by which they were 
derived.  These  coordinates  should  be  used  in  any  program 
where  specific  “RGB”  values  can  be  assigned.  Please  notice 
the  absence  of  primes  against  the  letters  of  “RGB”  in  the 
preceding  sentence,  which  reflect  how  gamma  corrected 
coordinates are referred to in most software, even if R’G’B’ is 
the correct form (albeit more cumbersome to write). 
However, obtaining R’G’B’ data is not enough for many chart 
users  who  want  to  know  how  representative  these  numbers 
are,  and  how  close  these  numbers  are  to  the  ones  of  their 
chart.  Also,  inquisitive  users  may  be  interested  in  how  the 
new numbers compare with the old ones. This is the subject 
of  Section  2.  The  R’G’B’  values  derived  from  the  new 
reference data are presented in Section 3, as well as the R’G’B’ 
values derived from the BabelColor average. 
Section  4  presents  a  short  description  of  each  space.  The 
process  by  which  the  values  were  obtained  follows,  in 
Section 5. The process can be used for spaces not covered by 
this  paper;  for  example,  for  a  space  defined  for  a  particular 
display with color primaries different from the ones presented 
here.  
2.  Comparing ColorChecker references 
We  have  gathered  four  data  sets  which  we  consider  reliable 
enough to be used as references: 
i)  ColorChecker 1976: xyY data with Illuminant C (Ref. 2) 
ii)  ColorChecker 2005: L*a*b* D50 and sRGB (Ref. 4) 
iii)  BabelColor Avg.: spectral data (Ref. 3) 
iv)  ProfileMaker 2004: spectral data (2/5/2004) 
 
Other  measurements  were  found,  in  either  tristimulus  or 
spectral form, but they were either incomplete (no data for all 
patches),  or  they  were  from  a  single  chart,  or  their  origin 
could  not  be  confirmed.  We  know  that,  some  time  ago, 
L*a*b*  D50  data  was  available  from  the  Munsell  Web  site, 
but the file was removed when the Web site was updated. 
Introduction 
1. 
The  ColorChecker1  chart  is  ubiquitous  in  the  photographic 
and video fields. Its main application is for obtaining a rapid 
assessment  of  an  imaging  devices’  color  rendering  accuracy, 
although it can also be used for simple calibration purposes. 
The chart consists of 24 color patches formulated to emulate 
common natural colors such as skin colors, foliage, and sky, 
in  addition  to  additive  and  subtractive  primaries,  and  a  six 
steps  gray  scale2.  While  designed  for  optimum  color 
consistency  when  comparing  pictures  of  the  chart  with 
pictures of the natural colors, as reproduced on color film, it 
was shown that the degree of metamerism was also very small 
when directly comparing the chart to the natural colors. 
Until  recently,  R’G’B’  values  for  this  chart  were  difficult  to 
find.  In  particular,  the  R’G’B’  data  supplied  with  the  chart 
corresponded  to  no  common  RGB  space,  and  no  primaries 
and  white  point  coordinates  were  provided  either.  The  only 
official and reliable tristimulus data supplied with the product 
consisted of xyY coordinates measured with CIE Illuminant 
C, a common Daylight Illuminant when the original data was 
measured (from Ref. 2); this data was used, by this author, as 
a  basis  to  determine  R’G’B’  values,  and  published  in  a 
previous  version  of  this  document.  In  view  of  this  limited 
information,  the  author  started,  a  few years ago,  to  compile 
and  average  spectral  data  measured  on  ColorCheckers  by 
users from all over the world. This “real-life” data, from 20 
charts  of  various  ages  (all  of  them  in  well  kept  conditions), 
and  measured  using  various  instruments,  can  be  seen  as  an 
independent  validation  of  the  official  reference  data.  This 
average data, labeled “BabelColor Avg.” throughout this text, 
was  used  to  derive  R’G’B’  values  for  comparison  purposes. 
Extracts of the data set are presented here; the complete data 
is available in a spreadsheet which can be downloaded from 
the BabelColor Web site3. 
Since  about  October  2005,  the  GretagMacbeth  Company 
provides sRGB values, in 8-bit format, and L*a*b* D50 data 
with its standard size and Mini format ColorChecker charts; 
the  data  is  also  freely  accessible  on  their  Web  site4.  The 
published data is the same for both charts. However, R’G’B’ 
data  for  other  popular  spaces,  such  as  Adobe  RGB,  Apple 
 
2 
Table 1a 
Color name 
No. 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
9  moderate red 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17  magenta 
18 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
purple 
yellow green 
orange yellow 
blue 
green 
red 
yellow 
cyan 
ColorChecker 2005 
b* 
L* 
37,99 
14,06 
17,81 
65,71 
-21,93 
49,93 
21,91 
43,14 
-25,40 
55,11 
70,72 
-0,199 
57,10 
62,66 
-45,96 
40,02 
16,25 
51,12 
30,33 
-21,59 
57,26 
72,53 
67,86 
71,94 
-50,30 
28,78 
55,26 
31,37 
28,19 
42,10 
79,82 
81,73 
-14,57 
51,94 
51,04 
-28,64 
1,186 
96,54 
-0,335 
81,26 
-0,504 
66,77 
50,87 
-0,270 
-1,231 
35,66 
20,46 
-0,973 
a* 
13,56 
18,13 
-4,88 
-13,10 
8,84 
-33,40 
36,07 
10,41 
48,24 
22,98 
-23,71 
19,36 
14,18 
-38,34 
53,38 
4,04 
49,99 
-28,63 
-0,425 
-0,638 
-0,734 
-0,153 
-0,421 
-0,079 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1b 
Color name 
No. 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
9  moderate red 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17  magenta 
18 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
 
purple 
yellow green 
orange yellow 
blue 
green 
red 
yellow 
cyan 
 
ColorChecker 2005 
b* 
L* 
14,06 
37,99 
17,81 
65,71 
49,93 
-21,93 
21,91 
43,14 
-25,40 
55,11 
-0,199 
70,72 
62,66 
57,10 
-45,96 
40,02 
16,25 
51,12 
-21,59 
30,33 
57,26 
72,53 
71,94 
67,86 
-50,30 
28,78 
31,37 
55,26 
28,19 
42,10 
81,73 
79,82 
-14,57 
51,94 
-28,64 
51,04 
1,186 
96,54 
-0,335 
81,26 
66,77 
-0,504 
-0,270 
50,87 
-1,231 
35,66 
20,46 
-0,973 
a* 
13,56 
18,13 
-4,88 
-13,10 
8,84 
-33,40 
36,07 
10,41 
48,24 
22,98 
-23,71 
19,36 
14,18 
-38,34 
53,38 
4,04 
49,99 
-28,63 
-0,425 
-0,638 
-0,734 
-0,153 
-0,421 
-0,079 
 
 
 
 
ColorChecker 1976 
b* 
L* 
38,14 
14,75 
17,30 
66,63 
-22,43 
50,73 
21,85 
43,36 
-25,74 
56,01 
71,50 
0,831 
58,56 
62,28 
-44,07 
40,44 
15,56 
51,94 
30,50 
-23,65 
58,64 
72,83 
66,70 
72,18 
-52,83 
28,59 
55,66 
33,09 
26,98 
41,71 
78,47 
81,95 
-15,57 
51,57 
51,07 
-27,36 
0,067 
96,00 
0,058 
81,35 
0,049 
66,67 
51,58 
0,040 
0,031 
35,99 
0,022 
20,56 
avg. :
a* 
13,81 
15,38 
-3,15 
-14,99 
9,63 
-31,93 
31,88 
11,42 
45,25 
23,99 
-23,76 
17,40 
20,31 
-38,77 
53,43 
1,65 
48,99 
-28,01 
-0,062 
-0,054 
-0,046 
-0,037 
-0,029 
-0,020 
 
 
 
L* 
38,36 
66,06 
50,09 
43,20 
55,36 
70,70 
62,56 
40,18 
51,71 
30,38 
72,49 
71,96 
28,65 
55,05 
42,18 
82,23 
51,82 
50,55 
96,39 
81,01 
66,30 
50,83 
35,72 
20,71 
BabelColor Avg. 
b* 
14,65 
17,85 
-22,51 
21,73 
-24,82 
-0,240 
58,05 
-44,29 
16,86 
-20,31 
57,08 
68,00 
-50,52 
31,62 
28,79 
79,84 
-13,90 
-28,14 
2,238 
0,180 
-0,079 
-0,268 
-0,468 
-0,447 
avg. :
a* 
13,80 
17,74 
-4,41 
-13,46 
8,89 
-32,89 
35,13 
9,55 
47,69 
21,13 
-23,46 
19,49 
15,60 
-38,09 
54,89 
4,05 
49,79 
-27,97 
-0,404 
-0,570 
-0,434 
-0,687 
-0,521 
0,025 
 
 
2006-06-01 
ΔE 
ΔE ≤ 1 
1 < ΔE ≤ 2 
2 < ΔE ≤ 4 
4 < ΔE 
ΔE 
CIELAB DE2000 
0,45 
2,01 
1,75 
1,32 
0,98 
1,09 
2,72 
1,61 
1,26 
1,06 
0,48 
1,08 
3,11 
0,77 
0,73 
1,40 
0,72 
0,54 
1,25 
0,94 
1,14 
0,79 
1,38 
0,98 
1,23 
0,75 
2,95 
1,98 
1,91 
1,24 
1,95 
4,45 
2,19 
3,17 
2,30 
1,41 
2,29 
6,63 
1,82 
1,27 
2,75 
1,46 
1,42 
1,29 
0,71 
0,89 
0,78 
1,36 
1,00 
2,00 
 
 
ΔE 
CIELAB DE2000 
0,74 
0,52 
0,77 
0,41 
0,63 
0,51 
1,34 
1,89 
1,01 
2,24 
0,31 
0,19 
1,44 
0,41 
1,63 
0,50 
0,71 
0,96 
1,06 
0,57 
0,70 
0,54 
0,77 
0,59 
0,85 
0,49 
0,40 
0,50 
0,31 
0,46 
0,21 
0,80 
0,39 
0,73 
0,97 
0,11 
0,07 
0,88 
0,27 
0,45 
0,34 
0,32 
0,57 
0,98 
0,54 
0,71 
0,78 
0,75 
0,56 
0,52 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1a: Official L*a*b* D50 values of the ColorChecker, as made available by GretagMacbeth in 2005 (“ColorChecker 2005”), 
compared to the previously distributed data measured in 1976 (“ColorChecker 1976”). The 1976 data, measured with 
Illuminant C, was converted to Illuminant D50 using a Bradford chromatic adaptation transform. 
Table 1b: “ColorChecker 2005” data compared to L*a*b* D50 data derived from the average of 20 charts 
compiled by BabelColor (“BabelColor Avg.”). 
2006-06-01 
Table 1c 
Color name 
No. 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
9  moderate red 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17  magenta 
18 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
purple 
yellow green 
orange yellow 
blue 
green 
red 
yellow 
cyan 
ColorChecker 2005 
b* 
L* 
37,99 
14,06 
17,81 
65,71 
-21,93 
49,93 
21,91 
43,14 
-25,40 
55,11 
70,72 
-0,199 
57,10 
62,66 
-45,96 
40,02 
16,25 
51,12 
30,33 
-21,59 
57,26 
72,53 
67,86 
71,94 
-50,30 
28,78 
55,26 
31,37 
28,19 
42,10 
79,82 
81,73 
-14,57 
51,94 
51,04 
-28,64 
1,186 
96,54 
-0,335 
81,26 
-0,504 
66,77 
50,87 
-0,270 
-1,231 
35,66 
20,46 
-0,973 
a* 
13,56 
18,13 
-4,88 
-13,10 
8,84 
-33,40 
36,07 
10,41 
48,24 
22,98 
-23,71 
19,36 
14,18 
-38,34 
53,38 
4,04 
49,99 
-28,63 
-0,425 
-0,638 
-0,734 
-0,153 
-0,421 
-0,079 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1d 
Color name 
No. 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
9  moderate red 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17  magenta 
18 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
 
purple 
yellow green 
orange yellow 
blue 
green 
red 
yellow 
cyan 
 
BabelColor Avg. 
b* 
14,65 
17,85 
-22,51 
21,73 
-24,82 
-0,240 
58,05 
-44,29 
16,86 
-20,31 
57,08 
68,00 
-50,52 
31,62 
28,79 
79,84 
-13,90 
-28,14 
2,238 
0,180 
-0,079 
-0,268 
-0,468 
-0,447 
a* 
13,80 
17,74 
-4,41 
-13,46 
8,89 
-32,89 
35,13 
9,55 
47,69 
21,13 
-23,46 
19,49 
15,60 
-38,09 
54,89 
4,05 
49,79 
-27,97 
-0,404 
-0,570 
-0,434 
-0,687 
-0,521 
0,025 
L* 
38,36 
66,06 
50,09 
43,20 
55,36 
70,70 
62,56 
40,18 
51,71 
30,38 
72,49 
71,96 
28,65 
55,05 
42,18 
82,23 
51,82 
50,55 
96,39 
81,01 
66,30 
50,83 
35,72 
20,71 
 
 
 
 
 ProfileMaker 2004 
b* 
L* 
38,40 
14,52 
18,22 
66,07 
-21,70 
50,17 
22,67 
43,27 
-25,14 
55,47 
71,23 
-0,060 
58,29 
62,83 
-45,87 
40,27 
16,56 
51,26 
30,47 
-21,28 
57,89 
72,95 
68,94 
72,27 
-50,02 
28,71 
55,40 
32,01 
28,41 
41,50 
80,85 
82,56 
-14,30 
52,20 
51,37 
-28,29 
1,470 
96,96 
0,097 
81,57 
-0,083 
67,17 
50,15 
-0,490 
-0,741 
35,94 
-0,365 
20,38 
avg. :
a* 
13,58 
18,02 
-4,91 
-13,33 
8,84 
-33,03 
35,88 
10,39 
48,01 
21,07 
-23,45 
19,25 
14,36 
-38,02 
56,42 
3,49 
49,90 
-28,48 
-0,474 
-0,703 
-0,779 
-1,225 
-0,336 
-0,360 
 
 
 
 ProfileMaker 2004 
b* 
L* 
14,52 
38,40 
18,22 
66,07 
50,17 
-21,70 
22,67 
43,27 
-25,14 
55,47 
-0,060 
71,23 
62,83 
58,29 
-45,87 
40,27 
16,56 
51,26 
-21,28 
30,47 
57,89 
72,95 
72,27 
68,94 
-50,02 
28,71 
32,01 
55,40 
28,41 
41,50 
82,56 
80,85 
-14,30 
52,20 
-28,29 
51,37 
1,470 
96,96 
0,097 
81,57 
67,17 
-0,083 
-0,490 
50,15 
-0,741 
35,94 
-0,365 
20,38 
avg. :
a* 
13,58 
18,02 
-4,91 
-13,33 
8,84 
-33,03 
35,88 
10,39 
48,01 
21,07 
-23,45 
19,25 
14,36 
-38,02 
56,42 
3,49 
49,90 
-28,48 
-0,474 
-0,703 
-0,779 
-1,225 
-0,336 
-0,360 
 
 
3
ΔE 
ΔE ≤ 1 
1 < ΔE ≤ 2 
2 < ΔE ≤ 4 
4 < ΔE 
ΔE 
CIELAB DE2000 
0,47 
0,43 
0,27 
0,40 
0,38 
0,43 
0,55 
0,23 
0,26 
1,03 
0,43 
0,42 
0,25 
0,37 
1,14 
0,69 
0,29 
0,36 
0,37 
0,49 
0,53 
1,71 
0,54 
0,73 
0,53 
0,62 
0,56 
0,33 
0,81 
0,45 
0,65 
1,22 
0,27 
0,41 
1,94 
0,80 
1,14 
0,34 
0,73 
3,11 
1,43 
0,39 
0,51 
0,51 
0,54 
0,58 
1,31 
0,58 
0,68 
0,83 
 
 
ΔE 
CIELAB DE2000 
0,26 
0,47 
0,95 
0,95 
0,34 
0,58 
0,83 
1,79 
0,62 
0,98 
0,93 
1,02 
1,33 
0,53 
1,72 
1,20 
0,56 
0,97 
0,96 
0,58 
0,94 
0,89 
0,40 
0,51 
0,85 
0,17 
0,23 
0,55 
0,55 
0,26 
0,43 
0,41 
0,35 
0,50 
0,61 
0,43 
0,43 
0,65 
0,38 
0,90 
0,47 
0,41 
0,85 
0,80 
0,44 
0,86 
1,04 
0,42 
0,62 
0,53 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1c: Official L*a*b* D50 values of the ColorChecker, as made available by GretagMacbeth in 2005 (“ColorChecker 2005”), 
compared to values derived from the reference spectral file provided with ProfileMaker (“ProfileMaker 2004”; 
Table 1d: L*a*b* D50 data derived from the average of 20 charts compiled by BabelColor (“BabelColor Avg.”), 
file name: “ColorChecker 24”; file measurement date: “2/5/2004”). 
compared to “ProfileMaker 2004”. 
 
4 
2006-06-01 
The first comparison that comes to mind is the one between 
the  two  “official”  tristimulus  data  sets,  published  in  1976 
(“ColorChecker  1976”)  and  2005  (“ColorChecker  2005”), 
shown in Table 1a. In order to compare the two sets on the 
same basis, we have chosen to convert the xyY Ill-C (1976) 
coordinates to the L*a*b* D50 color space used for the most 
recent reference. From xyY, one can readily determine XYZ 
values, then use a Chromatic Adaptation Transform (CAT), in 
this  case  the  Bradford  matrix  discussed  in  Section  5.2,  to 
convert  the  XYZ  coordinates  between  Illuminant  C  and 
Illuminant  D50,  and  finally  compute  the  proper  L*a*b* 
values. The use of a CAT is required since we do not have the 
spectral  data  corresponding  to  the  xyY  coordinates.  While 
using a CAT can introduce an error, this error has less of an 
effect than if it was simply added to the inherent difference 
between the data sets; see Section 6 for more information. 
third  comparison,  Table  1c, 
The second comparison, shown in Table 1b, is between the 
“ColorChecker  2005”  data  set  and  the  “BabelColor  Avg.”. 
The 
the 
“ColorChecker 2005” set and tristimulus data derived from a 
spectral  reference  file  of  the  ColorChecker  (ProfileMaker 
2004). This file is provided by GretagMacbeth as part of their 
ProfileMaker software package; the measurement date shown 
in the file is “2/5/2004”. The fourth comparison, Table 1d, is 
between  the  “BabelColor  Avg.”  and  “ProfileMaker  2004” 
data sets. 
is  between 
The  color  differences  in  Table  1  are  computed  using  both 
CIELAB  and  CIEDE2000.  CIEDE2000  is  the  most  recent 
color  difference  formula  recommended  by  the  Commission 
Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE). Like the CIE94 and CMC 
color  difference  formulas  which  came  after  CIELAB,  it 
strives  to  improve  the  match  between  the  perceived  color 
difference and the computed difference values. CIEDE2000, 
similarly to the CIE94 and CMC formulas, includes weighting 
functions  for 
it 
introduces  an  extra  term  which  combines  chroma  and  hue 
with the goal of improving the performance for blue colors 
(for hue angles – the h* in the L*C*h* presentation format – 
around 275 degrees). It also associates a scaling factor to a* 
for low chroma colors, to improve the formula performance 
near  the 
illuminant.  Many  users  have  confirmed  that 
CIEDE2000, while still not perfect, does achieve its goal of 
improving the match between computed difference numbers 
and perceived difference5. 
lightness,  chroma  and  hue.  However, 
In  Table  1a,  we  see  a  noticeable  difference  between  the 
“ColorChecker  1976”  and  “ColorChecker  2005”  data  sets, 
whereas  the  difference  is  quite  small  when  comparing  the 
2005  data  with  either  the  “BabelColor  Avg.”  or  the 
“ProfileMaker 2004” sets in Tables 1b and 1c. The 1976 data 
may have been deemed sufficiently precise at a time where the 
chart was mostly used to visually judge the quality of silver-
based 
to  make  precise  digital 
measurements as we do now. 
films,  and  not  used 
As per GretagMacbeth Web site, the 2005 ColorChecker data 
“is intended to be an average measurement of all ColorChecker Charts”. 
The  fact  that,  on  average,  this  data  set  cannot  be  visually 
differentiated  from  either  the  “ProfileMaker  2004”  or  the 
“BabelColor  Avg.”  data  sets  makes  it  difficult  to  select  the 
best one. There is no detailed information on where the 2005 
data  comes  from;  it  may  be  an  average  from  one,  or  from 
many production lots. There is even less information on the 
origin of the ProfileMaker reference file but its good match to 
the other data sets indicates it is also an average of some sorts. 
As  for  the  data  compiled  by  BabelColor,  the  match  to  the 
other  two  data  sets  is  quite  good,  especially  considering  the 
mix of experimental conditions imposed by many users using 
different instruments. Overall, the similarity of the three data 
sets  points  to  some  outstanding  long  term  production 
consistency. 
Readers interested in seeing spectral graphs for each patch, as 
well  as  information  on  spectral  and  L*a*b*  variance,  can 
download 
“ColorChecker_RGB_and_spectra.xls” 
spreadsheet from the BabelColor Web site (see Ref. 3). 
the 
3.  RGB coordinates of the ColorChecker 
The  R’G’B’  values  of  the  ColorChecker  for  four  common 
RGB spaces, Adobe, Apple, ProPhoto and sRGB, are shown 
in 8-bit format in Table 2, and in 16-bit format in Table 3. 
Table  3  is  a  more  precise  version  of  Table  2,  with  more 
significant  digits  per  value.  The  16-bit  values  can  be  used 
mainly  in  programming  environments,  such  as  MATLAB, 
since there is no color picker that yet offers 16-bit resolution. 
You should be aware that, for computing efficiency reasons, 
Photoshop  processes  16-bit  file  as  if  15-bit  and  resaves  the 
file as 16-bit; the displayed color numbers are thus divided by 
two from the 16-bit values.  
In  Tables  2  and  3,  the  tables  labeled  “ColorChecker  2005” 
show  the  L*a*b*  D50  values  provided  by  GretagMacbeth. 
You  will  notice  two  columns  with  sRGB  in  their  title  in 
Table 2; the one labeled “sRGB (GMB)” contains the values 
provided by GretagMacbeth, while the “sRGB” column was 
derived  from  L*a*b*  D50  using  the  procedure  presented  in 
Section  5.  The  other  R’G’B’  values  of  the  “ColorChecker 
2005”  table  were  derived  in  a  similar  manner.  It  should  be 
emphasized that for ProPhoto, a D50 based RGB space, there 
is no need to perform a chromatic adaptation transform when 
starting  with  L*a*b*  D50  and  that  there 
is  minimal 
“conversion process-induced” errors (see Section 6). 
All  R’G’B’  values  of  the  “BabelColor  Avg.”  tables  were 
obtained with the spectral reflectance average of 20 charts, the 
space  Illuminant  spectral  distribution,  and  the  2-degrees 
Standard  Observer.  In  other  words,  they  were  not  obtained 
using a chromatic adaptation transform, and do not comprise 
the errors this transform may introduce. 
It is interesting to note in Table 2 that the “sRGB (GMB)” 
cyan patch is measured to be within the sRGB gamut, with an 
R’ value of 8, while this coordinate is clipped to zero when 
derived from the L*a*b* data (as can be seen in the “sRGB” 
column  of  the  “ColorChecker  2005”  table).  The  cyan  is 
similarly clipped in the “BabelColor Avg.” tables.  
2006-06-01 
ColorChecker 2005 
 
No. 
Color name 
illuminant 
0 
 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
 
9  moderate red 
purple 
10 
 
yellow green 
11 
orange yellow 
12 
 
blue 
13 
green 
14 
 
red 
15 
yellow 
16 
 
17  magenta 
cyan 
18 
 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BabelColor Avg. 
 
Color name 
No. 
illuminant 
0 
 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
 
9  moderate red 
purple 
10 
 
yellow green 
11 
orange yellow 
12 
 
blue 
13 
green 
14 
 
red 
15 
yellow 
16 
 
17  magenta 
cyan 
18 
 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
 
 
 
 
5
Apple 
sRGB 
ProPhoto 
Adobe 
 
sRGB (GMB) 
R'  G'  B'  R'  G'  B'  R'  G'  B'  R'  G'  B'  R'  G'  B' 
255 
255 
68 
107 
130 
184 
157 
101 
67 
95 
128 
177 
170 
129 
44 
201 
166 
77 
174 
99 
108 
86 
64 
167 
46 
213 
150 
49 
99 
73 
60 
155 
31 
227 
149 
169 
161 
61 
245 
242 
200 
200 
160 
160 
121 
120 
84 
85 
52 
52 
 
 
255 
 
70 
129 
 
153 
69 
 
173 
171 
 
56 
166 
 
97 
104 
 
75 
55 
 
143 
80 
 
59 
52 
 
147 
167 
 
242 
201 
 
162 
121 
 
86 
54 
 
255 
82 
150 
122 
108 
128 
189 
126 
91 
90 
60 
188 
163 
61 
148 
54 
199 
86 
133 
243 
200 
160 
122 
85 
52 
 
255 
115 
194 
98 
87 
133 
103 
214 
80 
193 
94 
157 
224 
56 
70 
175 
231 
187 
8 
243 
200 
160 
122 
85 
52 
 
255 
67 
129 
156 
64 
176 
172 
47 
170 
97 
106 
63 
39 
147 
74 
57 
20 
151 
170 
243 
202 
163 
122 
86 
51 
 
255 
81 
147 
122 
108 
128 
190 
124 
91 
82 
58 
189 
162 
63 
149 
49 
198 
84 
136 
245 
202 
163 
121 
84 
49 
 
255 
116 
199 
91 
90 
130 
92 
224 
68 
198 
94 
159 
230 
35 
67 
180 
238 
193 
0 
245 
200 
161 
121 
82 
49 
 
255 
54 
114 
133 
55 
154 
157 
54 
145 
80 
82 
74 
60 
120 
69 
46 
66 
127 
148 
240 
191 
146 
102 
68 
38 
 
255 
67 
135 
102 
86 
111 
168 
118 
74 
83 
49 
170 
152 
50 
123 
59 
188 
85 
111 
243 
190 
146 
102 
66 
37 
 
255 
81 
159 
94 
75 
118 
127 
167 
79 
141 
68 
144 
181 
57 
85 
120 
199 
143 
78 
242 
189 
145 
102 
66 
37 
 
255 
51 
109 
139 
48 
162 
155 
30 
156 
79 
88 
39 
19 
131 
54 
43 
0 
134 
154 
239 
191 
146 
102 
68 
38 
 
255 
63 
128 
103 
89 
108 
178 
102 
71 
59 
42 
177 
143 
47 
133 
29 
187 
60 
118 
243 
191 
146 
102 
66 
37 
 
255 
94 
183 
74 
73 
110 
84 
211 
52 
180 
73 
145 
220 
26 
60 
159 
232 
174 
0 
242 
189 
144 
101 
65 
37 
 
255 
82 
146 
122 
107 
127 
188 
123 
92 
83 
61 
188 
160 
65 
148 
52 
197 
85 
135 
245 
201 
161 
120 
85 
53 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Apple 
 
 
 
ProPhoto 
 
 
 
sRGB 
 
 
 
Adobe 
 
255 
 
70 
129 
 
155 
69 
 
173 
170 
 
54 
164 
 
97 
103 
 
75 
56 
 
143 
78 
59 
53 
 
147 
164 
 
240 
199 
160 
 
121 
85 
 
54 
R'  G'  B'  R'  G'  B'  R'  G'  B'  R'  G'  B' 
255 
255 
67 
107 
182 
129 
157 
103 
65 
96 
176 
129 
171 
132 
197 
45 
168 
79 
98 
171 
105 
84 
62 
168 
211 
41 
147 
53 
72 
101 
56 
151 
22 
227 
150 
165 
166 
65 
240 
245 
201 
199 
159 
161 
121 
119 
85 
84 
53 
50 
255 
81 
149 
123 
108 
129 
191 
123 
92 
84 
59 
189 
161 
62 
149 
48 
200 
84 
136 
245 
201 
161 
121 
84 
50 
255 
115 
196 
93 
90 
130 
99 
220 
72 
195 
91 
160 
229 
43 
71 
176 
238 
188 
0 
245 
200 
160 
120 
83 
50 
255 
54 
114 
135 
56 
154 
157 
52 
143 
80 
81 
74 
60 
120 
68 
46 
67 
126 
146 
237 
189 
144 
102 
67 
38 
255 
68 
136 
102 
86 
111 
168 
118 
75 
85 
50 
169 
152 
50 
122 
59 
190 
85 
109 
242 
190 
144 
102 
67 
37 
255 
82 
160 
95 
75 
119 
127 
166 
79 
142 
67 
144 
182 
57 
85 
121 
201 
143 
77 
242 
189 
144 
101 
66 
37 
255 
51 
109 
141 
48 
162 
154 
29 
153 
79 
87 
38 
20 
131 
52 
43 
0 
133 
151 
236 
189 
144 
102 
67 
38 
255 
63 
130 
103 
90 
108 
179 
101 
72 
62 
43 
177 
142 
45 
133 
29 
188 
60 
118 
242 
190 
144 
102 
67 
37 
255 
94 
180 
76 
73 
110 
89 
206 
55 
176 
70 
147 
218 
32 
63 
154 
232 
168 
0 
243 
188 
143 
101 
66 
37 
255 
82 
148 
122 
108 
128 
189 
122 
92 
85 
61 
188 
159 
64 
148 
52 
198 
85 
135 
245 
200 
160 
121 
85 
53 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
xyY (CIE D50) 
x 
y 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
xyY (CIE D50) 
x 
y 
Y 
100 
L*a*b* (CIE D50) 
b* 
L* 
100 
0 
0,3585 
14,06
0,3777  10,08  37,99 
0,3744  34,95  65,71 
17,81
-21,93
0,3016  18,36  49,93 
0,4499  13,25  43,14 
21,91
-25,40
0,2856  23,04  55,11 
-0,20
0,3911  41,78  70,72 
0,4055  31,18  62,66 
57,10
-45,96
0,2106  11,26  40,02 
0,3273  19,38  51,12 
16,25
-21,59
0,2482 
6,37  30,33 
57,26
0,5008  44,46  72,53 
0,4427  43,57  71,94 
67,86
-50,30
0,1692 
5,75  28,78 
0,5032  23,18  55,26 
31,37
28,19
0,3303  12,57  42,10 
0,4734  59,81  81,73 
79,82
-14,57
0,2688  20,09  51,94 
-28,64
0,3023  19,30  51,04 
0,3608  91,31  96,54 
1,19
-0,34
0,3584  58,94  81,26 
-0,50
0,3581  36,32  66,77 
-0,27
0,3579  19,15  50,87 
0,3548 
8,83  35,66 
-1,23
-0,97
3,11  20,46 
0,3537 
a* 
0 
13,56 
18,13 
-4,88 
-13,10 
8,84 
-33,40 
36,07 
10,41 
48,24 
22,98 
-23,71 
19,36 
14,18 
-38,34 
53,38 
4,04 
49,99 
-28,63 
-0,43 
-0,64 
-0,73 
-0,15 
-0,42 
-0,08 
Y 
100 
L*a*b* (CIE D50) 
b* 
L* 
0 
0,3585 
100 
14,65
0,3787  10,29  38,36 
0,3749  35,40  66,06 
17,85
-22,51
0,2996  18,49  50,09 
0,4501  13,29  43,20 
21,73
-24,82
0,2871  23,28  55,36 
-0,24
0,3905  41,75  70,70 
0,4081  31,06  62,56 
58,05
-44,29
0,2157  11,36  40,18 
0,3295  19,89  51,71 
16,86
-20,31
0,2544 
6,39  30,38 
57,08
0,5002  44,40  72,49 
0,4426  43,60  71,96 
68,00
-50,52
0,1676 
5,70  28,65 
31,62
0,5040  22,97  55,05 
28,79
0,3284  12,62  42,18 
0,4730  60,72  82,23 
79,84
-13,90
0,2702  19,98  51,82 
-28,14
0,3028  18,89  50,55 
2,24
0,3625  90,94  96,39 
0,18
0,3593  58,50  81,01 
0,3588  35,71  66,30 
-0,08
-0,27
0,3586  19,12  50,83 
-0,47
8,87  35,72 
0,3577 
0,3562 
3,17  20,71 
-0,45
a* 
0 
13,80 
17,74 
-4,41 
-13,46 
8,89 
-32,89 
35,13 
9,55 
47,69 
21,13 
-23,46 
19,49 
15,60 
-38,09 
54,89 
4,05 
49,79 
-27,97 
-0,40 
-0,57 
-0,43 
-0,69 
-0,52 
0,03 
0,3457 
0,4316 
0,4197 
0,2760 
0,3703 
0,2999 
0,2848 
0,5295 
0,2305 
0,5012 
0,3319 
0,3984 
0,4957 
0,2018 
0,3253 
0,5686 
0,4697 
0,4159 
0,2131 
0,3469 
0,3440 
0,3432 
0,3446 
0,3401 
0,3406 
0,3457 
0,4336 
0,4187 
0,2757 
0,3688 
0,3016 
0,2856 
0,5291 
0,2335 
0,5002 
0,3316 
0,3986 
0,4960 
0,2042 
0,3262 
0,5734 
0,4693 
0,4175 
0,2146 
0,3486 
0,3451 
0,3447 
0,3433 
0,3425 
0,3436 
Table 2: R’G’B’ coordinates of the ColorChecker, in 8-bit format. Coordinates for which clipping occurred are shown with a gray background. 
Top (“ColorChecker 2005”): The L*a*b* and “sRGB (GMB)” data is from GretagMacbeth; the other values (xyY, Adobe, 
Apple, ProPhoto and sRGB) were derived from the L*a*b* data using the procedure described in Section 5. 
Bottom (“BabelColor Avg.”):  L*a*b* and R’G’B’ values were derived from the spectral average of 20 charts.  
 
 
 
6 
 
 
 
 
 
ColorChecker 2005 
 
No. 
Color name 
illuminant 
0 
 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
9  moderate red 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17  magenta 
18 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
 
purple 
yellow green 
orange yellow 
blue 
green 
red 
yellow 
cyan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BabelColor Avg. 
Color name 
No. 
 
illuminant 
0 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
9  moderate red 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17  magenta 
18 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
purple 
yellow green 
orange yellow 
blue 
green 
red 
yellow 
cyan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a* 
0 
L*a*b* (CIE D50) 
b* 
L* 
100 
0 
37,986 
65,711 
49,927 
43,139 
55,112 
70,719 
62,661 
40,020 
51,124 
30,325 
72,532 
71,941 
28,778 
55,261 
42,101 
81,733 
51,935 
51,038 
96,539 
81,257 
66,766 
50,867 
35,656 
20,461 
 
 
13,555 
18,130 
-4,880 
-13,095 
8,844 
-33,397 
36,067 
10,410 
48,239 
22,976 
-23,709 
19,363 
14,179 
-38,342 
53,378 
4,039 
49,986 
-28,631 
-0,425 
-0,638 
-0,734 
-0,153 
-0,421 
-0,079 
14,059 
17,810 
-21,925 
21,905 
-25,399 
-0,199 
57,096 
-45,964 
16,248 
-21,587 
57,255 
67,857 
-50,297 
31,370 
28,190 
79,819 
-14,574 
-28,638 
1,186 
-0,335 
-0,504 
-0,270 
-1,231 
-0,973 
 
 
 
 
a* 
0 
L*a*b* (CIE D50) 
b* 
L* 
100 
0 
38,358 
66,056 
50,090 
43,204 
55,356 
70,700 
62,559 
40,178 
51,711 
30,375 
72,492 
71,963 
28,653 
55,046 
42,182 
82,230 
51,820 
50,555 
96,387 
81,014 
66,297 
50,830 
35,724 
20,706 
13,802 
17,737 
-4,407 
-13,464 
8,891 
-32,892 
35,135 
9,551 
47,694 
21,131 
-23,462 
19,486 
15,600 
-38,088 
54,893 
4,048 
49,787 
-27,973 
-0,404 
-0,570 
-0,434 
-0,687 
-0,521 
0,025 
14,646 
17,848 
-22,512 
21,730 
-24,824 
-0,240 
58,050 
-44,289 
16,857 
-20,309 
57,078 
67,998 
-50,520 
31,617 
28,785 
79,844 
-13,904 
-28,139 
2,238 
0,180 
-0,079 
-0,268 
-0,468 
-0,447 
Adobe 
G' 
65535 
21037 
37489 
31234 
27576 
32643 
48441 
31575 
23542 
21283 
15563 
48199 
41157 
16824 
37925 
13377 
50657 
21777 
34706 
62936 
51637 
41470 
30941 
21809 
13539 
 
 
 
Adobe 
G' 
65535 
21170 
37930 
31323 
27679 
32793 
48634 
31443 
23623 
21847 
15754 
48202 
40883 
16411 
37972 
13259 
50936 
21730 
34708 
62839 
51454 
41102 
30992 
21851 
13647 
B' 
65535 
17932 
33025 
39364 
17662 
44447 
44028 
14313 
42751 
24831 
26707 
19356 
14181 
36877 
20582 
15245 
13301 
37827 
42920 
62298 
51689 
41576 
31029 
22201 
13841 
 
B' 
65535 
17940 
33063 
39736 
17760 
44393 
43737 
13962 
42180 
24990 
26485 
19192 
14408 
36835 
20042 
15090 
13593 
37690 
42055 
61577 
51238 
41054 
30991 
21954 
13795 
 
R' 
65535 
27426 
47379 
25919 
24528 
32927 
33187 
51626 
19711 
44624 
22093 
42816 
54654 
12591 
25519 
39846 
58361 
43542 
15780 
62890 
51294 
41082 
30850 
21522 
13424 
 
R' 
65535 
27427 
46858 
26357 
24611 
33111 
34033 
50616 
20328 
43878 
21538 
43111 
54237 
13494 
26024 
38918 
58390 
42397 
16727 
62871 
51214 
40921 
30704 
21631 
13618 
 
 
 
 
R' 
65535 
 
24272 
47061 
19061 
18814 
28179 
21635 
54315 
13412 
46277 
18775 
37223 
56662 
 
6744 
15499 
40882 
59657 
44678 
 
 
 
 
0 
 
 
62308 
48454 
36900 
26064 
 
16716 
9404 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R' 
 
65535 
24245 
46219 
19634 
18888 
28387 
22962 
52933 
14223 
45214 
18091 
37668 
56124 
8096 
 
16294 
39705 
59620 
43169 
 
 
 
 
0 
 
 
62323 
48400 
36794 
25852 
16842 
 
9595 
 
 
 
Table 3: R’G’B’ coordinates of the ColorChecker, in 16-bit format. Coordinates for which clipping occurred are shown with a gray background. 
Top (“ColorChecker 2005”): The L*a*b* data is from GretagMacbeth; the R’G’B’values were derived from the L*a*b* data 
Bottom (“BabelColor Avg.”):  L*a*b* and R’G’B’ values were derived from the spectral average of 20 charts.  
 using the procedure described in Section 5. 
 
 
 
 
Apple 
ProPhoto 
sRGB 
2006-06-01 
G' 
65535 
16153 
32784 
26484 
22981 
27684 
45841 
26099 
18365 
15231 
10808 
45581 
36855 
11979 
34177 
7492 
47961 
15483 
30411 
62388 
48985 
37472 
26190 
17081 
9535 
 
G' 
65535 
16287 
33312 
26559 
23087 
27846 
46056 
26017 
18452 
15889 
11025 
45576 
36556 
11556 
34223 
7483 
48296 
15524 
30420 
62281 
48775 
37062 
26250 
17124 
9628 
B' 
65535 
13188 
27946 
35753 
12230 
41629 
39917 
7836 
40089 
20218 
22518 
10085 
4761 
33587 
13894 
11082 
0 
34453 
39705 
61541 
49038 
37587 
26286 
17484 
9817 
 
B' 
65535 
13185 
27949 
36178 
12320 
41556 
39544 
7462 
39419 
20351 
22277 
9858 
5255 
33552 
13271 
10945 
0 
34301 
38682 
60612 
48492 
36998 
26240 
17226 
9768 
R' 
65535 
20795 
40907 
24175 
19249 
30315 
32629 
42868 
20351 
36263 
17495 
37022 
46640 
14563 
21842 
30812 
51240 
36857 
19993 
62217 
48688 
37161 
26131 
16932 
9502 
 
G' 
65535 
17235 
34660 
26096 
22117 
28442 
43161 
30308 
19117 
21340 
12667 
43576 
38989 
12920 
31642 
15251 
48436 
21856 
28496 
62346 
48923 
37407 
26179 
17053 
9531 
 
 
 
 
ProPhoto 
R' 
65535 
21065 
41088 
24358 
19220 
30507 
32731 
42582 
20337 
36595 
17247 
37047 
46688 
14720 
21764 
31163 
51670 
36739 
19852 
62107 
48512 
36885 
26002 
16963 
9628 
G' 
65535 
17418 
34953 
26172 
22181 
28596 
43109 
30346 
19254 
21774 
12835 
43524 
38992 
12758 
31474 
15087 
48849 
21803 
28125 
62194 
48708 
37024 
26198 
17093 
9630 
B' 
65535 
13942 
29175 
34288 
14249 
39678 
40445 
13797 
37271 
20465 
21146 
19080 
15365 
30946 
17800 
11935 
16899 
32665 
38002 
61675 
49018 
37556 
26268 
17412 
9770 
 
B' 
65535 
13958 
29396 
34655 
14334 
39609 
40449 
13468 
36662 
20603 
20734 
19115 
15334 
30949 
17600 
11809 
17164 
32307 
37418 
60977 
48565 
37019 
26243 
17205 
9743 
 
R' 
65535 
29684 
51033 
23285 
23061 
33299 
23760 
57637 
17444 
50970 
24062 
40800 
59221 
9090 
17200 
46236 
61244 
49611 
0 
62954 
51492 
41301 
31014 
21187 
12507 
 
R' 
65535 
29648 
50244 
23958 
23139 
33501 
25382 
56443 
18426 
50002 
23277 
41244 
58773 
11084 
18307 
45152 
61195 
48247 
0 
62967 
51453 
41222 
30782 
21331 
12759 
G' 
65535 
20794 
37831 
31447 
27664 
32893 
48805 
31797 
23445 
21055 
14904 
48564 
41533 
16275 
38272 
12506 
50998 
21580 
35002 
63018 
51965 
41847 
31145 
21613 
12685 
 
 
 
sRGB 
G' 
65535 
20935 
38278 
31538 
27772 
33047 
48996 
31662 
23530 
21654 
15113 
48567 
41257 
15826 
38320 
12376 
51274 
21529 
35005 
62924 
51785 
41477 
31198 
21658 
12804 
B' 
65535 
17311 
33071 
40035 
16548 
45254 
44209 
12000 
43738 
24945 
27134 
16148 
10089 
37805 
19051 
14638 
5069 
38695 
43613 
62371 
52019 
41958 
31239 
22046 
13032 
 
B' 
65535 
17313 
33089 
40419 
16655 
45194 
43894 
11558 
43150 
25096 
26893 
15925 
10499 
37768 
18395 
14467 
5688 
38553 
42717 
61645 
51563 
41427 
31196 
21772 
12975 
 
 
 
 
Apple 
2006-06-01 
7
 
 
sRGB from L*a*b* D50 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
sRGB (GMB) 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
No. 
Color name 
R'  G'  B' 
dark skin 
1 
light skin 
2 
blue sky 
3 
foliage 
4 
blue flower 
5 
bluish green 
6 
orange 
7 
purplish blue 
8 
9  moderate red 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17  magenta 
18 
19  white 9.5 (.05 D) 
neutral 8 (.23 D) 
20 
neutral 6.5 (.44 D) 
21 
neutral 5 (.70 D) 
22 
neutral 3.5 (1.05 D) 
23 
black 2 (1.5 D) 
24 
 
purple 
yellow green 
orange yellow 
blue 
green 
red 
yellow 
cyan 
 
81 
116 
67 
199  147  129 
122  156 
91 
90 
108 
64 
130  128  176 
190  172 
92 
47 
224  124 
68 
91 
170 
97 
82 
198 
106 
94 
58 
63 
159  189 
39 
230  162 
35 
63 
147 
74 
149 
67 
57 
180 
49 
20 
238  198 
193 
84 
151 
0 
136  170 
245  245  243 
200  202  202 
161  163  163 
121  121  122 
86 
82 
51 
49 
 
 
84 
49 
 
 
R'  G'  B' 
82 
98 
87 
L*a*b* (CIE D65) 
b* 
L* 
14,07 115 
37,85 
68 
17,21 194  150  130
65,43 
122  157
-21,79
50,15 
43,17 
22,44
108 
67 
-25,06 133  128  177
55,40 
0,29 103  189  170
70,92 
44 
56,24 214  126 
62,06 
80 
40,59 
-45,14
91 
166
99 
90 
15,17 193 
50,58 
108
-21,74
30,51 
94 
60 
64 
57,83 157  188 
72,31 
46 
67,80 224  163 
71,43 
56 
29,46 
-49,34
61 
150
73 
148 
32,03
55,26 
70 
60 
26,92 175 
41,53 
54 
31 
80,10 231  199 
81,08 
86 
-15,48 187 
51,74 
149
52,41 
-26,64
8 
133  161
0,96 243  243  242
96,49 
-0,24 200  200  200
81,17 
-0,25 160  160  160
66,84 
50,86 
-0,55 122  122  121
85 
-1,44
35,61 
52 
20,40 
-1,27
 
a* 
12,72 
17,18 
-1,91 
-15,08 
11,58 
-33,22 
33,37 
16,15 
47,55 
25,11 
-27,84 
15,50 
20,74 
-41,23 
52,67 
-0,33 
51,26 
-18,46 
-0,35 
-0,69 
-0,71 
0,20 
-0,36 
0,47 
85 
52 
 
85 
52 
 
 
 
L*a*b* (CIE D65) 
b* 
L* 
13,66 
38,02 
16,90 
65,67 
-21,60 
50,63 
43,00 
20,45 
-25,17 
55,68 
1,54 
70,99 
56,13 
61,14 
41,12 
-41,88 
14,88 
51,33 
-22,10 
31,10 
56,96 
71,90 
64,91 
71,04 
30,35 
-49,67 
32,30 
55,03 
24,66 
41,35 
77,55 
80,70 
-15,28 
51,14 
51,15 
-23,37 
0,48 
95,82 
0,00 
80,60 
0,00 
65,87 
51,19 
0,55 
0,00 
36,15 
0,00 
21,70 
avg. : 
a* 
11,80 
13,67 
0,37 
-15,88 
12,76 
-30,64 
28,10 
17,41 
42,10 
24,35 
-28,10 
12,60 
26,43 
-40,14 
49,30 
-3,66 
48,15 
-19,73 
-0,18 
0,00 
0,00 
-0,20 
0,00 
0,00 
 
 
 
CIELAB
ΔE*ab 
1,02 
3,52 
2,34 
2,15 
1,23 
2,87 
5,35 
3,53 
5,52 
1,02 
1,01 
4,11 
5,77 
1,15 
4,06 
4,22 
3,17 
3,72 
0,84 
0,92 
1,23 
1,21 
1,58 
1,89 
2,64 
Table 4: Color difference between the sRGB coordinates derived from L*a*b* D50 values provided by GretagMacbeth, and the 
sRGB coordinates also provided by GretagMacbeth. The R’G’B’ coordinates of the “sRGB from L*a*b* D50” data set were 
rounded to the nearest integer before computing the color differences. The L*a*b* values are computed for D65. 
Because  the  cyan  patch  is  close  to  the  edge  of  the  space 
gamut,  we  could  expect  to  have  some  measurements  which 
cross  the  border  now  and  then;  however,  we  have  verified 
that the 20 individual R’G’B’ values of the cyan patches used 
for  the  “BabelColor  Avg.”  were  all  clipped.  As  an  added 
check, for all ColorChecker patches, we compared the sRGB 
1st R'G'B' 
 data set 
 
2nd R'G'B' 
 data set 
Illum. for
ΔE*ab 
avg.
ΔE*ab
sRGB from L*a*b* D50 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
sRGB (GMB) 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
D65 
2,64 
 
1 
2 
3 
sRGB from L*a*b* D50 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
sRGB 
(BabelColor Avg.) 
sRGB (GMB) 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
sRGB 
(BabelColor Avg.) 
4  Adobe RGB from L*a*b* D50 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
Adobe RGB 
(BabelColor Avg.) 
5  Apple RGB from L*a*b* D50 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
Apple RGB 
(BabelColor Avg.) 
6 
ProPhoto from L*a*b* D50 
(ColorChecker 2005) 
ProPhoto 
(BabelColor Avg.) 
D65 
1,30 
D65 
1,95 
D65 
1,30 
D65 
1,25 
D50 
1,03 
 
Table 5: Average CIELAB color differences of the 24 patches 
of the ColorChecker for various R’G’B’ data sets. The color 
difference is computed for the illuminant of the RGB space. 
See Table 4 for the details of how the result of the first row, 
“sRGB from L*a*b* D50” vs “sRGB (GMB)”, was obtained. 
coordinates derived from L*a*b* D50 to the values provided 
by GretagMacbeth (i.e. “sRGB (GMB)”). The individual color 
differences  and  their  average  are  shown  in  Table  4.  Many 
individual differences are large, with a maximum of 5,77 for 
the  blue  patch;  this  is  quite  high,  even  for  a  blue  CIELAB 
difference.  We  have  further  compared  the  differences 
between the other R’G’B’ data sets of Table 2; the averages 
are  shown  in  Table  5.  For  the  sRGB  space,  the  smallest 
average color difference (=1,30) is seen between the “sRGB 
from  L*a*b*  D50  (ColorChecker  2005)”  and  the  “sRGB 
(BabelColor Avg.)” data sets. 
As we mentioned, the “sRGB from L*a*b* D50” data of the 
“ColorChecker  2005”  tables  was  determined  using  the 
Bradford chromatic adaptation transform. In comparison, the 
“sRGB (GMB)” data was likely determined from the spectral 
reflectance data, the D65 Illuminant spectral distribution and 
the 2-degrees Standard Observer, a method which is generally 
more  precise.  A  small  numeric  difference  is  thus  expected 
between  the  two  methods.  However,  the  actual  average 
difference between these two data sets is too high (=2,64) to 
be  explained  only  by  chromatic  transform  errors  only.  A 
rough  estimate  of  the  error  introduced  by  the  Bradford 
transform can be obtained by comparing the average errors of 
the D50 and D65 spaces in Table 5, since all D65 data derived 
“from  L*a*b*  D50”  was  done  so  using  the  Bradford 
transform. When comparing the sets of rows #2, 4 and 5 to 
the  sets  of  row  #6,  the  D65  averages  are  0,22  (=1,25-1,03) 
 
8 
2006-06-01 
and 0,27 (=1,30-1,03) higher than the D50 data sets (row #6). 
This  small  difference  is  due  essentially  to  the  Bradford 
transform  applied  to  L*a*b*  D50  data.  From  this,  we  infer 
that the sRGB values provided by GretagMacbeth came from 
another data set than the one used for their L*a*b* values. 
Overall,  it  can  be  seen  that  there  is  excellent  agreement 
between the R’G’B’ values of the “ColorChecker 2005” data 
sets derived from L*a*b* values and the “BabelColor Avg.” 
data sets (rows #2, 4, 5, and 6). This is in fact just another 
way to look at what was shown in Table 1b. The best match 
is,  as  expected,  between  the  ProPhoto  data  sets,  since  no 
chromatic  adaptation  transform  was  required  in  processing 
the “ColorChecker 2005” L*a*b* D50 data.  
It is important to note that all these differences between data 
sets do not indicate which set is the best. However, the better 
match between the “sRGB from L*a*b* D50 (ColorChecker 
2005)”  and  the  “sRGB  (BabelColor  Avg.)”  data  sets,  when 
compared to the large difference between the two sRGB data 
sets of the “ColorChecker 2005” table, tend to indicate that 
the “sRGB (GMB)” values are less reliable. 
R’G’B’  values  for  many  other  common  and  uncommon 
spaces can be found in Ref. 3. 
4.  RGB spaces descriptions 
RGB  spaces  have  evolved,  sometimes  for  technological 
reasons  (NTSC  evolved  to  SMPTE-C),  sometimes  to  fulfill 
professional  requirements  (ColorMatch,  Adobe  RGB),  and 
sometimes  because  that’s  how  the  display  system  was  built 
and it became a, de-facto, standard (Apple RGB). 
A short description of the four spaces selected for Tables 2 
and 3 follows. The position of their primaries on a CIE 1931 
chromaticity  diagram  can  be  seen  in  Figure  1.  Numerical 
specifications for each space are shown in Table 6.  
Adobe RGB (1998) 
Formerly  known  as  SMPTE-240M  for  Photoshop  user,  this 
space  has  been  renamed  once  the  final  SMPTE-240M 
standard committee settled for a smaller gamut6. Adobe RGB 
is  very  close  to  the  original  NTSC  space  and  has  a  large 
enough gamut that encompasses the gamuts of most printing 
processes  and  displays.  However,  because  of  its  gamut  size, 
16 bits per primary file formats should be preferred to 8 bits 
per  primary  ones,  especially  for  editing  purposes.  While  a 
relatively  large  number  of  those  colors  cannot  be  printed 
using  the  SWOP  process  (SWOP:  Specifications  for  Web 
Offset Publications), particularly in the green portion of the 
gamut,  newer  printing  processes, 
as  Pantone 
Hexachrome,  take  advantage  of  this  space.  Adobe  RGB’s 
white is defined with Illuminant D65. 
such 
Apple RGB 
Once a very common RGB space on the desktop, it is now 
slowly getting phased out and replaced by sRGB, for everyday 
use, and by Adobe RGB (and other larger gamut spaces) for 
photographic and graphic design applications. Its gamut size 
is  similar  to  the  ones  of  the ColorMatch  and  sRGB  spaces. 
lookup-table  (LUT)  gamma  which 
The Apple RGB, like the ColorMatch and SGI spaces, has a 
non-unity  display 
is 
compensated by the file encoding gamma (see Section 5.4 for 
a discussion of gamma). In older Macintosh computers, when 
a value of 1,8 was entered by the user in the control panel for 
display  gamma, 
filled  with  numbers 
corresponding to a gamma equal to 1,8/2,6=0,69 (or 1,45 if 
you define gamma using the reciprocal value =1/0,69). 
the  LUT  was 
ColorSync,  Apple’s  color  management  technology  at  the 
operating system level, now takes care of color management 
for all input and output devices and will automatically convert 
color  data  from  one  space  to  another  for  compliant 
applications. Apple RGB’s white is Illuminant D65. 
ProPhoto 
ProPhoto  is  a  very  large  gamut  RGB  space  designed  by 
Kodak; it is getting attention from digital camera users as an 
archiving and working space for RAW (minimally processed, 
high dynamic range, and un-color-balanced) camera data. 
Formerly called ROMM RGB while being developed, it was 
renamed at the same time as its gamma was changed from 2,2 
(=1/0,455) to 1,8 (=1/0,556).  ProPhoto’s white is Illuminant 
D50. 
While it covers most of the visible spectrum, it also extends 
outside  of  it.  As  a  result,  about  13%  of  the  RGB  triads 
represent non-existent colors. Working at 16 bits per channel 
is a minimum with this space, and some users are concerned 
that even this bit depth is not enough. Others are puzzled by 
the decision to use a 1,8 gamma when the industry is slowly 
moving towards a standard 2,2 value. In any case, when used 
with caution for images that DO contain colors outside of the 
range of medium size working spaces, like Adobe RGB, it can 
provide improved color rendering when used in conjunction 
with modern wide gamut inkjet printers. 
sRGB 
With  chromaticities  identical  to  the  ones  defined  in  ITU-R 
BT.709-3, a High-Definition TV (HDTV) standard, sRGB, as 
defined in IEC 61966-2-1, strives to represent the evolution 
of the standard North-American TV and its convergence with 
the PC world. At the same time, its chromaticities are not very 
far  from  the  ones  of  SMPTE-C  (and  SMPTE-240M),  the 
present  North-American  TV 
standard,  maintaining 
compatibility  with  the  large  quantity  of  recorded  media. 
sRGB’s white is defined with Illuminant D65. 
Advertised  as  a  general-purpose  space  for  consumer  use, 
sRGB is proposed for applications where embedding a color 
space profile, such as an ICC profile, may not be convenient 
for file size or compatibility purposes. By having all elements 
in a system sRGB compliant, no time is lost in conversions. 
The World Wide Web is obviously a target of choice for this 
space but it should not be discounted for other “scanner-to-
printer”  applications.  An  extended  gamut  color  encoding 
standard  has  been  defined  for  sRGB7;  it  supports  multiple 
levels  of  precision  while  being  compatible  with  the  base 
standard.