RGB color space

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An RGB color space is any additive color space based on the RGB color model.

RGB is shorthand for Red, Green, Blue.

RGB is a convenient color model for computer graphics because the human visual system works in a way that is similar - though not quite identical - to an RGB color space. The most commonly used RGB color spaces are sRGB and Adobe RGB, which has a significantly larger gamut than sRGB. Adobe has recently developed another color space called Adobe Wide Gamut RGB, which is even larger, in detriment of gamut density.

As of 2004, sRGB is by far the most commonly used RGB color space, particularly in consumer grade digital cameras, because it is considered adequate for most consumer applications, and its design simplifies previewing on the typical computer display. Adobe RGB is being built into more medium-range digital cameras, and is favored by many professional graphic artists for its larger gamut.

RGB spaces are generally specified by defining three primary colors and a white point. In the table below the three primary colors and white points for various RGB spaces are given. The primary colors are specified in terms of their CIE_1931_color_space chromaticity coordinates (x,y).

Some RGB color space parameters (from Susstrunk, Buckley and Swen 2005)
Color Space Gamut White Point Primaries
x_R y_R x_G y_G x_B y_B
ISO RGB Limited floating floating
Extended ISO RGB Unlimited (signed) floating floating
sRGB,
HDTV (ITU-R BT.709-3) CRT D65 0.64 0.33 0.30 0.60 0.15 0.06
ROMM RGB Wide D50 0.7347 0.2653 0.1596 0.8404 0.0366 0.0001
Adobe RGB 98 CRT D65 0.64 0.34 0.21 0.71 0.15 0.06
Apple RGB CRT D65 0.625 0.34 0.28 0.595 0.155 0.07
NTSC (FCC 1953) CRT Ill. C 0.67 0.33 0.21 0.71 0.14 0.08
NTSC (1979)
(SMPTE C, SMPTE-RP 145)
CRT D65 0.63 0.34 0.31 0.595 0.155 0.07
PAL/SECAM
(EBU 3213, ITU-R BT.470-6) CRT D65 0.64 0.33 0.29 0.60 0.15 0.06
CIE (1931) Wide E 0.7347 0.2653 0.2738 0.7174 0.1666 0.0089
Note that CIE 1931 (or CIE XYZ) is not an RGB color space.

**Some RGB color space parameters** (from Susstrunk, Buckley and Swen 2005)
Color Space	Gamut	White Point	Primaries
x_R	y_R	x_G	y_G	x_B	y_B
ISO RGB	Limited	floating	floating
Extended ISO RGB	Unlimited (signed)	floating	floating
sRGB, HDTV (ITU-R BT.709-3)	CRT	D65	0.64	0.33	0.30	0.60	0.15	0.06
ROMM RGB	Wide	D50	0.7347	0.2653	0.1596	0.8404	0.0366	0.0001
Adobe RGB 98	CRT	D65	0.64	0.34	0.21	0.71	0.15	0.06
Apple RGB	CRT	D65	0.625	0.34	0.28	0.595	0.155	0.07
NTSC (FCC 1953)	CRT	Ill. C	0.67	0.33	0.21	0.71	0.14	0.08
NTSC (1979) (SMPTE C, SMPTE-RP 145)	CRT	D65	0.63	0.34	0.31	0.595	0.155	0.07
PAL/SECAM (EBU 3213, ITU-R BT.470-6)	CRT	D65	0.64	0.33	0.29	0.60	0.15	0.06
CIE (1931)	Wide	E	0.7347	0.2653	0.2738	0.7174	0.1666	0.0089

External links

- a summary of the practical aspects of using the two spaces (requires membership - membership free if email provided.)

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RGB color space

See also

External links