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What is a Colorimeter?

By Donna Rengi
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 217,781
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A colorimeter is a light-sensitive instrument that measures how much color is absorbed by an object or substance. It determines color based on the red, blue, and green components of light absorbed by the object or sample, much as the human eye does. When light passes through a medium, part of the light is absorbed, and as a result, there is a decrease in how much of the light reflected by the medium. A colorimeter measures that change so users can analyze the concentration of a particular substance in that medium. The device works on the basis of Beer-Lambert's law, which states that the absorption of light transmitted through a medium is directly proportional to the concentration of the medium.

Types

There are many different types of colorimeters, including the color densitometer, which measures the density of primary colors, and the color photometer, which measures the reflection and transmission of color. Styles include digital, also called laboratory, and portable. Digital versions are most often used in a lab setting for sampling or in the classroom for educational purposes. Portable versions can be carried anywhere, regardless of environmental conditions, to test things like water and soil samples on site.

The spectrophotometer, a type of photometer that measures light intensity, is often grouped together with colorimeters, but it is technically a different device. Both rely on Beer-Lambert's law to calculate the concentration of a substance in a solution, but they do so in different ways. A colorimeter measures only red, green, and blue colors of light, while a spectrophotometer can measure the intensity of any wavelength of visible light. In general, spectrophotometers are more complicated and less rugged than most colorimeters; they should be handled with utmost care and require regular recalibration.

How a Colorimeter Works

At its most basic, a colorimeter works by passing a specific wavelength of light through a solution, and then measuring the light that comes through on the other side. In most cases, the more concentrated the solution is, the more light will be absorbed, which can be seen in the difference between the light at its origin and after it has passed through the solution. To find the concentration of an unknown sample, several samples of the solution in which the concentration is known are first prepared and tested. These are then plotted on a graph with the concentration at one axis and the absorbance on the other to create a calibration curve; when the unknown sample is tested, the result is compared to the known samples on the curve to determine the concentration. Some types of colorimeters will automatically create a calibration curve based on an initial calibration.

Uses

A colorimeter can be used in a wide variety of industries and settings. Small, portable devices can be used to analyze the color contrast and brightness on a television or computer screen, allowing the user to then adjust the settings to obtain the best quality picture. In the printing industry, a colorimeter is a basic element in a color management system. Other printing industry applications include checking the electronic components and quality of pulp paper and measuring the quality of printing ink.

Diamond merchants use colorimeters to measure the optical properties of precious stones. In cosmetology, the device is used to measure the sun protection factor of products applied to the skin. Colorimeters can analyze skin tones and tooth color to help diagnose certain diseases, and hospitals even use some types of this device to test the concentration of hemoglobin in blood.

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Discussion Comments
By anon349978 — On Oct 01, 2013

How do you know how much light has been absorbed or not absorbed by looking at the reading given?

By anon336947 — On Jun 01, 2013

How much is an original Dunning Colorimeter worth?

By anon325974 — On Mar 19, 2013

I have two questions. First, I want to know if such a sensor works well to measure the color of a wall. Then I wonder how much does a colorimeter cost.

By anon319343 — On Feb 12, 2013

Colorimeters are measured from absorbance, so there are no units.

By anon220570 — On Oct 08, 2011

in a colorimeter, if you're measuring something, what are the units?

By win199 — On Sep 30, 2010

@lmorales - You are correct and I agree with you completely. I also use a colorimeter, but for different purposes such as graphic design. I have a friend who is a photographer so a lot of her work gets passed on to me for physical edits, toning, and adjustments. I use mine pretty much weekly. It is an investment worth making.

By lmorales — On Sep 30, 2010

@fitness234 - I do the same and it can really make a difference sometimes should I forget to calibrate a month or two. I sometimes even feel bad because I know the photos that I'm editing could have been better somehow if you know what I mean. Using a colorimeter on your monitor is helpful not just in that aspect, but also in editing as well. Viewing is one thing, editing and Photo Shop adjustments are quite another.

By fitness234 — On Sep 15, 2010

Using a colorimeter in my photography business is essential to creating color-accurate photographic prints to my clients. Because slight color shifts can occur in computer displays, I will use a colorimeter every month to recalibrate my screen.

Doing this allows my to adjust colors and know that the output created from them will be true to the image displayed on the screen.

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