The CIE colorimetric systems provide numerical specifications that are meant to indicate whether or not pairs of color stimuli match when viewed by a CIE standard observer. The CIE color systems are not intended to provide visually uniform scales of color difference or to describe visually perceived color appearances.

This practice provides for the calculation of tristimulus values X, Y, Z and chromaticity coordinates x, y that can be used directly for psychophysical color stimulus specification or that can be transformed to nearly visually uniform color scales, such as CIELAB and CIELUV. Uniform color scales are preferred for research, production control, color-difference calculation, color specification, and setting color tolerances. The appearance of a material or an object is not completely specified by the numerical evaluation of its psychophysical color, because appearance can be influenced by other properties such as gloss or texture.

1.1 This practice provides the values and practical computation procedures needed to obtain CIE tristimulus values from spectral reflectance, transmittance, or radiance data for object-color specimens.

1.2 Procedures and tables of standard values are given for computing from spectral measurements the CIE tristimulus values X, Y, Z, and chromaticity coordinates x, y for the CIE 1931 standard observer and X₁₀, Y₁₀, Z₁₀ and x₁₀. y₁₀ for the CIE 1964 supplementary standard observer.

1.3 Standard values are included for the spectral power of six CIE standard illuminants and three CIE recommended fluorescent illuminants.

1.4 Procedures are included for cases in which data are available only in more limited wavelength ranges than those recommended, or for a measurement interval wider than that recommended by the CIE. This practice is applicable to spectral data obtained in accordance with Practice E 1164 with 1-, 5-, 10-, or 20-nm measurement interval.

1.5 Procedures are included for cases in which the spectral data are, and those in which they are not, corrected for bandpass dependence. For the uncorrected cases, it is assumed that the spectral bandpass of the instrument used to obtain the data was approximately equal to the measurement interval and was triangular in shape. These choices are believed to correspond to the most widely used industrial practice.

1.6 This practice includes procedures for conversion of results to color spaces that are part of the CIE system, such as CIELAB and CIELUV (3). Equations for calculating color differences in these and other systems are given in Practice D 2244.

1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.