sRGB vs Adobe RGB vs Display P3 — Color Spaces for Photography

What Is a Color Space?

A color space defines the range of colors (gamut) that an image can contain. Wider gamuts can represent more vivid colors.

The Three Main Color Spaces

sRGB

• Gamut: Standard (covers ~35% of visible colors)
• Use: Web, email, social media, home printing
• Why: Universal — every screen and browser supports it
• Default for: Most cameras, web browsers, consumer displays

Adobe RGB

• Gamut: Wider than sRGB (~50% of visible colors)
• Use: Professional print, commercial photography
• Why: Captures more vivid greens and cyans for printing
• Default for: Professional cameras (optional setting)

Display P3

• Gamut: Wider than sRGB, different than Adobe RGB
• Use: Modern Apple devices, HDR content
• Why: Matches capabilities of modern iPhone/Mac/iPad screens
• Default for: iPhone cameras (since iPhone 7)

Which to Use?

Use Case	Color Space
Website images	sRGB
Social media	sRGB
Email attachments	sRGB
Home inkjet printing	sRGB
Professional printing	Adobe RGB
Apple ecosystem	Display P3 (with sRGB fallback)
Archival	Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB

Converting Between Color Spaces

When converting from a wider color space (Adobe RGB) to a narrower one (sRGB), out-of-gamut colors are clipped or compressed. This can cause vivid colors to appear slightly muted.

Rule of thumb: If in doubt, use sRGB. It is the universal standard that works everywhere.