colorranging

Color ranging, often referred to as color range or color gamut, denotes the span of colors that a device, image, or workflow can capture, process, or reproduce. It is defined by the color space or gamut used, which describes the chromaticities of the primaries (red, green, blue) and the white point. Color ranging is a key element of color management and is distinct from luminance or dynamic range, which concern brightness levels rather than color variety.

In practice, color ranging is about how much of the visible spectrum a system can render. Common color spaces include sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3, with some devices supporting wider or narrower gamuts. When exchanging or displaying content, color management ensures that colors are mapped consistently across devices with different gamuts. Discrepancies can lead to color shifts if improper conversion or calibration occurs. In video and imaging, color range is sometimes implemented alongside digitization standards, such as full vs. limited (or broadcast) range in eight-bit systems, where 0–255 represents full range and 16–235 represents a scaled subset.

Applications of color ranging span photography, video production, display calibration, printing, and color grading. Choosing an appropriate gamut involves trade-offs between color richness, device capabilities, and workflow interoperability. Wider gamuts can preserve more color detail but may require careful color management and monitoring to avoid oversaturation or mismatches. Related concepts include color space, gamut mapping, ICC profiles, and dynamic range, which together govern how color and brightness are reproduced across devices.