Delta E Calculator

This is a Delta E calculator. It measures how far two colors sit in CIELAB (CIEDE2000, CIE94, CIE76). That is not WCAG contrast.

Click a value to copy it

CIEDE2000 ΔE₀₀
CIE94 ΔE*₉₄
CIE76 ΔE*ₐᵦ
How it reads
ΔL*
Δa*
Δb*

Need contrast for text? Use Color Converter

Examples — click a swatch

One pair per line: #3B82F6 #2563EB. Fill example loads three pairs; the table shows CIEDE2000.

Delta E calculator

This is a Delta E calculator. ΔE is how far two colors sit in CIELAB, not whether text on a background passes WCAG. The page converts sRGB HEX, rgb() or hsl() with a D65 white point and reports CIEDE2000 (headline), CIE94 and CIE76. Contrast lives on Color Converter.

How to use

  1. Paste HEX, rgb() or hsl() on color A and color B, pick a swatch, swap A / B, or sample a pixel where EyeDropper is available.
  2. Read CIEDE2000 first, then CIE94 and CIE76. The meaning line uses CIEDE2000: under 1, 1–2, 2–5, 5–10, or more. Lab for each side and ΔL* Δa* Δb* (B minus A) sit underneath.
  3. The split bar puts A on the left and B on the right. Click a chip to copy a number or HEX. Copy result copies all three ΔE values plus both Lab lines.
  4. Show example loads #3B82F6 vs #2563EB. Pair swatches include identical HEX, white vs #F8FAFC, red vs #FF2A00, red vs green, and teal-700 vs teal-400.
  5. Batch is one pair per line, such as #3B82F6 #2563EB. Fill example loads three pairs; the table prints CIEDE2000.

Notes

Identical colors return 0 on every formula. CIE94 uses graphic-arts constants (kL=1, K1=0.045, K2=0.015) with color A as the reference, so swapping A and B can change CIE94 slightly; CIE76 and CIEDE2000 stay the same. The conversion is display sRGB, not a spectrophotometer reading. A number is not a print or fabric pass. Invalid HEX shows an error. Related: HEX to Tailwind (ΔE to a palette class), tint shade generator.

Where to use it

  • Checking whether two brand tokens are too close on screen.
  • Comparing a screenshot HEX to a spec HEX.
  • Quoting CIE76 because an old document still names it, while ranking with CIEDE2000.

Questions

Is ΔE below 1 always invisible?

No. It is a common description of a very small computed gap. Lighting, size, texture and the observer still matter.

Which formula should I quote?

CIEDE2000 unless a contract names another formula. Treat a bare “Delta E” from 1990s print specs as CIE94 until you check.

Can I match paint from a screen sample?

You can compare digital references here. A material decision still needs measured data and a physical sample.