Practical guide
How to choose a paint color responsibly
The tool helps narrow down shades. It does not replace a color card, a paint sample, or a decision made in the room's own light, so use it as a first step rather than as a color guarantee.
01
Start with the best reference you have
An NCS or RAL code refers to a physical color standard, while HEX or RGB describes a color rendered by a device. If you have a wall sample, color card or paint swatch, record its system and manufacturer code. Treat a screen color as an approximation because displays and browsers affect its appearance.
02
Read a result as a difference, not an identity
FindColor ranks shades with Delta E, a measure of perceived color difference. A lower value means a closer computational result, but it does not account for sheen, texture, coverage or substrate color. Products with similar scores can still look different across a large surface.
03
Check the shade in the light where it will be used
The same paint can look cooler in daylight and warmer under indoor lighting. View a small sample in the morning, evening and next to materials that will stay in the room. This avoids making a decision from a digital preview alone.
04
Compare the product variant, not just its color name
Commercial color names can be similar, yet the same pigment may be offered in different bases and finishes. Before buying, confirm the product line, base, sheen, intended use and the seller's availability for the chosen variant. This matters more than a matching name.
05
Decide after testing the actual surface
Choose several close candidates, buy samples and apply them to the actual substrate. Leave space between swatches so they do not affect each other visually, then compare them after drying in the target location. Only then is it sensible to buy a full container.