Colordata

Colordata is a broad term used in computing and digital media to describe the numerical or encoded representation of color information. In most raster images and many graphics pipelines, color data is organized as per-pixel channels that encode a color model. The most widely used model is RGB, where each pixel has red, green, and blue components. Each component is commonly an 8-bit integer in the range 0–255, but many formats support higher depths (16-bit, 32-bit floating point) or use non-integer representations. Other models include CMYK for printing and perceptual spaces such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, Rec. 709, and Rec. 2020.

Color data can be stored with an alpha channel (RGBA) to indicate transparency. Data may be linear or gamma-corrected; linear data is preferred for lighting computations, while gamma-encoded data aligns with human perception and display characteristics. Color management uses profiles (ICC) and color spaces to map colors across devices and enable color management systems to convert data between spaces while preserving appearance.

Common file formats store color data either as raw pixel data or compressed representations. Raw formats keep explicit color channels; compressed formats (PNG, JPEG, WebP) store encoded color data alongside metadata for color space, gamma, and ICC profile.

Applications of colordata include digital photography, computer graphics, video, printing, and display calibration. Challenges in handling colordata involve gamut mapping, color fidelity across devices, and perceptual consistency.