Every review on Paint Color Review follows the same method, so you can compare one color with another like for like.
1. Manufacturer data first
The code, hex value, RGB values and light reflectance value (LRV) come from the paint maker's own color record for that color. Each review shows the date the data was checked and links to the source record. We do not estimate or round these values beyond normal display rounding.
2. Measured undertones
Undertones are read from the color's CIELAB values, calculated from the manufacturer's hex value using the standard sRGB conversion with a D65 white point. Two numbers matter most: b*, the yellow–blue axis, which shows how warm or cool a color is, and a*, the green–red axis, which shows a green or pink cast. The undertone meters on each review plot these two values.
3. Color difference (ΔE)
Similar colors and cross-brand matches are ranked by CIEDE2000 color difference (ΔE), the industry formula for how different two colors look to the human eye. As a guide, a ΔE around 1 is barely visible, and 2–3 is visible when two chips sit side by side.
4. Light direction previews
The north, south, east and west previews are simulations: they apply the typical color shift of each kind of daylight to the manufacturer's color. They show the direction a color will move, not an exact prediction for your room, which is why every review recommends testing a large sample in your own light.
5. Original images
The sample boards, room scenes and swatch cards are original illustrations drawn from each color's manufacturer values. They are labeled as illustrations, never presented as photographs of real paint.
6. Independence and updates
No brand pays for reviews or rankings. When a paint maker updates its data, the review is updated and its date changes.