This chapter gives an overview of the basics of color calculations. Like the whole homepage I do not want to go too much into detail, because nobody in the industry will try to calculate L*, a* and b* values out of a spectral curve. All the spectrophotometer suppliers have very good software which will do this job.

On the other hand it is necessary to know where the numbers come from and what is the meaning. What is the difference between the color systems used in the industry? Which system is the right one for me? I try to give these answers on the following pages.