CIE data for colorimetry

ICC.1 colour management assumes a fixed colorimetric PCS, with a D50 illuminant and CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric Observer. In ICC.2 the profile creator can choose to apply different illuminants and observers when computing XYZ tristimulus values. For interoperability it is highly desirable that when profiles use such alternative data, the same values are used and that the values correspond directly to those defined by CIE.

Data is provided at 1nm or 5nm intervals, over the range 360-780 for observers and 300-780nm for illuminants (which ensures that any fluorescent excitation is included). Where the range or interval of the observer, illuminant or measurement data do not match, the procedures described in CIE Publication 15, available from CIE, should be followed.

Entries in the Data column below link directly to the corresponding CIE data in comma-separated value (.csv) format. The entries in the CIE Data Page column link to the information on the observer or illuminant on the CIE site, including data description, metadata and citation details. Metadata is available in machine-readable .json files.

Illuminant or observer	CIE designation	Interval (nm)	CIE data page
Illuminant	CIE standard illuminant D50	1	CIE standard illuminant D50 - 1 nm
Illuminant	CIE standard illuminant D65	1	CIE standard illuminant D65 - 1 nm
Illuminant	CIE standard illuminant A	1	CIE standard illuminant A - 1 nm
Observer	CIE 1931 colour matching functions, 2 degree observer	1	CIE 1931 observer - 1nm
Observer	CIE 1964 colour matching functions, 10 degree observer	1	CIE 1964 observer - 1nm