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Simulate metameric failure — the phenomenon where two colour samples that appear identical under one illuminant (a metameric match) diverge visibly when the lighting changes. Metamerism arises because different spectral reflectance distributions can produce the same tristimulus values under a specific illuminant but not under another. Explore illuminant metamerism (D65 vs A, F2, LED), observer metamerism (CIE 1931 vs 2006 cone fundamentals), and geometric metamerism (viewing angle-dependent shifts). Compare ΔE colour difference under reference and alternate illuminants. Inspect CIE xy chromaticity divergence. Advanced industrial colour matching, textile, paint, and printing research tool.

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Color A (reference sample)
Color B (metameric sample)
Metamerism model & settings
Divergence severity50%
Image simulation
Upload JPG/PNG (max 1200 × 1200). See how an image would appear under reference vs alternate illuminant.
Research notes
Metameric failure occurs when two colour specimens that match under one illuminant (a "conditional match" or metamer pair) mismatch under a different illuminant. This happens because the two samples have different spectral reflectance distributions (SPDs) that, by coincidence, produce identical CIE tristimulus values (X,Y,Z) under the reference illuminant. When the spectral power distribution of the light changes, the integral ∫R(λ)×S(λ)×x̄(λ)dλ changes differently for each sample, breaking the match. Illuminant metamerism is the most common industrial problem — a paint batch matches the master under D65 daylight but appears noticeably different under tungsten (illuminant A) or fluorescent (F2/F11) lighting. Observer metamerism arises because real observers deviate from the CIE standard observer due to age-related lens yellowing, macular pigment density, and cone spectral sensitivity variation. Geometric metamerism relates to viewing-angle-dependent colour shift in multilayer coatings, metallic finishes, and pearlescent paints.
Swatches — Reference Illuminant
Color A (ref)
HEX: — • RGB: — • xy: —
Color B (ref)
HEX: — • RGB: — • xy: —
Swatches — Alternate Illuminant
Color A (alt)
HEX: — • RGB: — • xy: —
Color B (alt)
HEX: — • RGB: — • xy: —
ΔE Ref (CIE76)
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ΔE Alt (CIE76)
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ΔE Ref (CIEDE2000)
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ΔE Alt (CIEDE2000)
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Deep preview
Match (Ref)
Mismatch (Alt)
Chromaticity (CIE xy)
Metamer divergence vector (ref → alt illuminant)
D65 white point: 0.313, 0.329
Image simulation

Metameric failure simulations use chromatic adaptation transforms (Bradford/CIECAM02) to model illuminant changes in sRGB. True spectral metamers cannot be fully represented on sRGB displays — this tool approximates the perceptual divergence for educational and industrial colour matching research. ΔE2000 implemented locally per Sharma et al. (2005). Observer metamerism is modeled via cone fundamental variance from CIE 2006 physiological observer data. Not for critical colour acceptance decisions — use spectrophotometric verification.

Multi-condition comparison
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Compare normal, Condition A and Condition B across multiple severities. If an image is loaded it will be processed into the grid, otherwise color swatches are shown.