Kontrastile

Kontrastile is a term used in vision science and design to denote an index of how well a visual system preserves perceptual contrast across changes in luminance, angle, and ambient lighting. The concept describes the resilience of perceived contrasts—such as text against a background or edge delineation—in real-world viewing conditions.

The word kontrastile derives from kontrast (contrast) and the suffix -ile, indicating capability. It is a neologism rather than a formal standard; researchers apply it to describe a class of metrics rather than a single agreed measure. The term has appeared in design discussions and some imaging literature since the 2010s.

Measurement: Kontrastile is typically assessed by presenting test images with defined local contrasts under variable luminance and viewing geometry, then aggregating results into a dimensionless score. Because there is no universal protocol, different studies may report kontrastile values on different scales (0–1, 0–100) or use relative comparisons rather than absolute numbers.

Applications: It is used in comparing displays, such as monitors and VR headsets, in evaluating image processing algorithms that enhance contrast, and in accessibility-focused design to ensure legibility under glare.

Limitations: There is no formal consensus, and values depend heavily on the chosen test patterns, ambient light, observer adaptation, and display characteristics.

See also: Contrast sensitivity, dynamic range, image quality.