<p>Most obervers can differentiate about a million different colors <a href="https://www.osapublishing.org/view_article.cfm?gotourl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eosapublishing%2Eorg%2FDirectPDFAccess%2FBD1E75BB%2DA72F%2DA7D4%2D9DF6FD85845EAF73%5F50303%2Fjosa%2D41%2D12%2D1057%2Epdf%3Fda%3D1%26id%3D50303%26shib%3D578950%26seq%3D0%26mobile%3Dno&amp;org=Universiteit%20Leiden%20%2F%20LUMC" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Halsey &amp; Chapanis, 1951)</a>. Generally this is referred to as the JND of hue. The difference between the definition of color and hue is minimal; basically, white, black and grey are considered colors, not hues. Anyway, a Google Scholar search using the keyword 'JND + color' didn't come up with much, but 'JND + Hue' did the job for me. </p>

<p>I have added a few interesting, classic references below. A search with 'JND + Hue' yields many more. </p>

<p><sub><strong>References</strong><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.osapublishing.org/view_article.cfm?gotourl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eosapublishing%2Eorg%2FDirectPDFAccess%2FBD1E75BB%2DA72F%2DA7D4%2D9DF6FD85845EAF73%5F50303%2Fjosa%2D41%2D12%2D1057%2Epdf%3Fda%3D1%26id%3D50303%26shib%3D578950%26seq%3D0%26mobile%3Dno&amp;org=Universiteit%20Leiden%20%2F%20LUMC" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Halsey &amp; Chapanis, <em>JOSA</em> (1951); <strong>41</strong>(12): 1067-8</a><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/224366a0" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Holtsmakr &amp; Valberg, <em>Nature</em> (1969); <strong>224</strong>: 361-2</a></sub></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-14T15:40:49.370Z
2020-04-14T19:31:26.693Z
2020-04-14T19:31:26.693Z
AliceD
<p>As I understand it, the greater light levels are the more we require in order to detect a difference. I've also read this holds true for colour saturation. However, I can't seem to find any information that accounts for hue or the wavelength of light.</p>

<perception><reference-request><psychophysics><color>
Are there any definitions of the perception & JND of the colour of light approximately like how the Weber Law defines it for the brightness of light?
Harry Bennett-Snewin
# Are there any definitions of the perception & JND of the colour of light approximately like how the Weber Law defines it for the brightness of light?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-14)

As I understand it, the greater light levels are the more we require in order to detect a difference. I've also read this holds true for colour saturation. However, I can't seem to find any information that accounts for hue or the wavelength of light.

**Tags:** perception, reference-request, psychophysics, color


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-04-14. Score: 1

Most obervers can differentiate about a million different colors [(Halsey & Chapanis, 1951)](https://www.osapublishing.org/view_article.cfm?gotourl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eosapublishing%2Eorg%2FDirectPDFAccess%2FBD1E75BB%2DA72F%2DA7D4%2D9DF6FD85845EAF73%5F50303%2Fjosa%2D41%2D12%2D1057%2Epdf%3Fda%3D1%26id%3D50303%26shib%3D578950%26seq%3D0%26mobile%3Dno&org=Universiteit%20Leiden%20%2F%20LUMC). Generally this is referred to as the JND of hue. The difference between the definition of color and hue is minimal; basically, white, black and grey are considered colors, not hues. Anyway, a Google Scholar search using the keyword 'JND + color' didn't come up with much, but 'JND + Hue' did the job for me.

I have added a few interesting, classic references below. A search with 'JND + Hue' yields many more.

**References**  
**-** [Halsey & Chapanis, *JOSA* (1951); **41**(12): 1067-8](https://www.osapublishing.org/view_article.cfm?gotourl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eosapublishing%2Eorg%2FDirectPDFAccess%2FBD1E75BB%2DA72F%2DA7D4%2D9DF6FD85845EAF73%5F50303%2Fjosa%2D41%2D12%2D1057%2Epdf%3Fda%3D1%26id%3D50303%26shib%3D578950%26seq%3D0%26mobile%3Dno&org=Universiteit%20Leiden%20%2F%20LUMC)  
**-** [Holtsmakr & Valberg, *Nature* (1969); **224**: 361-2](https://www.nature.com/articles/224366a0)


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