---
id: colormath
version: "3.0.0"
license: BSD
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: abandoned
---

# colormath — Color math and conversion library.

License: permissive · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 131.7K/mo

## What it is and what it does

Colormath is a Python library for performing mathematical operations on colors. It handles color space conversions (e.g., RGB to LAB, XYZ to sRGB), calculates perceptual color differences using Delta E metrics, and can convert between color representations and spectral data. The library depends on numpy for numerical computation and NetworkX 2.0+ for graph operations.

The package is in production-stable status but abandoned—the last release was in December 2017 and the repository is archived. It remains functional for color math tasks but receives no active maintenance, security updates, or compatibility fixes. Use it only if your color conversion needs are stable and you can tolerate lack of ongoing support.

Use it for:

- Convert RGB colors to perceptually uniform spaces like LAB for image processing or color analysis
- Calculate Delta E (color difference) to determine if two colors are perceptually similar
- Transform between different color spaces (sRGB, XYZ, HSV, etc.) for graphics or design workflows
- Convert spectral data to standard color representations for scientific or photometric applications

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Colormath performs color space conversions, calculates color differences (Delta E), and converts between color representations and spectral data.

Yes, if your color math needs are stable and you can tolerate an abandoned package. Colormath remains functional for standard color conversions and Delta E calculations, with no known vulnerabilities. However, do not adopt it for new projects requiring active maintenance, Python version updates, or modern color science standards—the lack of updates since 2017 and repository archival mean no fixes or enhancements are coming.

## Install

pip install colormath
uv add colormath
poetry add colormath

## Installing colormath

Before you install: Installation requires numpy and NetworkX 2.0+. The package is abandoned—last release was 2017-12-27 and the repository was archived. No active maintenance or security updates should be expected.

License in practice: BSD license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute colormath with minimal restrictions, provided you retain the copyright notice and license text.

Quickstart:

pip install colormath

from colormath.color_objects import sRGBColor
from colormath.color_conversions import convert_color

color = sRGBColor(0.5, 0.5, 0.5)
lab_color = convert_color(color, LabColor)

Requires numpy and NetworkX 2.0+ as runtime dependencies; no Python version guarantee beyond the stated support for 2.7 and 3.5+

Verify before relying:

- Whether numpy and NetworkX 2.0+ are available in your target environment without additional friction
- Whether the package's color algorithms remain accurate for modern color science standards
- Whether abandonment affects compatibility with current Python versions beyond the stated 2.7 and 3.5+ support

## Package facts

- License: BSD (permissive)
- Python support: unspecified
- Install friction: high
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 131.7K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

color space conversion, delta e color difference, spectral color math, color conversion library, color space calculations, color-science, abandoned

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