Wavelength
A basic measurement concept for light, used to describe spectral color but not identical with perceived color.
Core concept Physics of light
Open concept page →Terms and building blocks
Concepts
Browse precise ideas used to explain color: wavelength, spectrum, hue, chroma, gamut, perception, and color relationships.
Spectrum
The ordered spread of visible light, often used as the foundation image for modern color science.
Core concept Optics and color order
Open concept page →Line of Purples
The non-spectral bridge between red and violet/purple in color diagrams.
Core concept Chromaticity diagrams
Open concept page →Hue
The attribute that lets us name a color family such as red, yellow, green, or blue.
Core concept Color terminology
Open concept page →Saturation
How intense or pure a color appears relative to grey or neutral color.
Core concept Color terminology
Open concept page →Chroma
The perceived strength or colorfulness of a color, especially in perceptual color systems.
Core concept Color terminology
Open concept page →Value
The light-dark dimension of color, central to drawing, painting, contrast, and readability.
Core concept Artist and design terminology
Open concept page →Gamut
The range of colors a device, process, pigment set, or color space can represent.
Core concept Color systems and limits
Open concept page →Metamerism
When different spectral mixtures look like the same color under some conditions.
Core concept Color perception
Open concept page →Opponent Colors
A perception model based on opposing color channels such as red-green and blue-yellow.
Core concept Color perception
Open concept page →Color Constancy
The tendency to perceive object colors as relatively stable under changing light.
Core concept Color perception
Open concept page →Complementary Color
A paired-color relationship used in color wheels, perception, design, and contrast systems.
Core concept Color relationships
Open concept page →Color Temperature
A warm-cool description used for light sources, photography, interiors, and visual mood.
Core concept Light and perception
Open concept page →