CIE (L*a*b*) uniform color space

[4.10.2] Abbreviation: CIELAB^‡

A transformation of the CIE tristimulus values, X,Y,Z into three rectangular coordinates (L*, a*, b*) that define a space in which equal distances are more nearly representative of equal magnitudes of perceived color difference. This space is especially useful in cases of colorant mixtures (e.g., dye-stuffs, paints).

^‡ Colorimetry, 2nd ed., CIE Technical Report 15.2. Vienna: International Commission on Illumination; 1986.