The common color gamut types of TFT LCD displays are usually distinguished by "which standard color gamut is covered and what the coverage ratio is". Below, we will systematically summarize it for you using the most common and practical method in the industry.
The mainstream color gamuts for TFT LCDs include NTSC, sRGB (the most mainstream), Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, Rec.709, and BT.2020 (ultra-wide color gamut). Below is a summary of each standard type:
Color gamut | Full name / Alias | Establish source | Main application scenarios | Color gamut size (relative) | Common Coverage of TFT LCD | Common annotation methods | The real situation in the industry |
| NTSC | NTSC 1953 | US NTSC Committee | Early television standards | Small | 45% / 60% / 72% NTSC | 72% NTSC | This is no longer a mainstream standard and is only used for conversion and introductory descriptions. |
| sRGB | Standard RGB | HP & Microsoft | PCs, web pages, industrial control systems, medical devices | benchmark | 90–100% sRGB | 100% sRGB | The most mainstream and most widely used |
| Adobe RGB | AdobeRGB (1998) | Adobe | Photography, medical imaging, printing | Greater than sRGB | 90–99% (Rare) | 99% AdobeRGB | TFT LCDs are rare and expensive. |
| DCI-P3 | Digital Cinema P3 | DCI | Video, automotive, high-end displays | Greater than sRGB | 85-95% | 95% DCI-P3 | High color gamut TFT LCD mainstream trend |
| Rec. 709 | ITU-R BT.709 | ITU-R | Broadcast, surveillance, video | ≈ sRGB | ≈100% | 100% Rec. 709 | Almost equivalent to sRGB |
| BT.2020 | ITU-R BT.2020 / Rec.2020 | ITU-R | 4K / 8K / HDR | maximum | 60–70% (theoretical) | Supports BT.2020 | It's more about signal standards than display color gamut. |
I. NTSC Color Gamut
Source: Television Broadcasting Standards (US Standards)
Common labeling methods:
45% NTSC
60% NTSC
72% NTSC
Rough conversion:
45% NTSC ≈ 62% sRGB
60% NTSC ≈ 85% sRGB
72% NTSC ≈ 100% sRGB (already reaches the standard sRGB full color gamut)
Application areas:
Industrial control displays, low-cost display panels, mid-to-low-end automotive displays, and general consumer electronics.
II. sRGB (most mainstream)
Source: Microsoft & HP
Common labeling methods:
100% sRGB (High color gamut actually requires 100% sRGB)
95% sRGB
90% sRGB
Features:
Operating system default color gamut
Application areas:
Industrial control displays, medical equipment, commercial displays, touch screen all-in-one PCs
III. Adobe RGB
Source: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Common labeling methods:
99% Adobe RGB (99% Adobe RGB ≈ 135% sRGB)
95% AdobeRGB
90% AdobeRGB
Features:
The green range is larger than sRGB, making it more professional in terms of color accuracy.
Application areas:
Medical imaging, post-production photography, professional monitoring
IV. DCI-P3
Source: Developed jointly by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).
Common labeling methods:
≥90% DCI-P3 → High color gamut (90% DCI-P3 ≈ 120% sRGB)
≥95% DCI-P3 → High-end display
≥98% DCI-P3 → Flagship
Features:
Reds and greens are more saturated, resulting in better video performance.
V. Rec.709
Source: ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector)
Features:
Rec.709 = sRGB
6. BT.2020 (also known as Rec.2020 Ultra Wide Color Gamut)
Source: ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector)
BT.2020 is more of a video standard than a true color gamut for displays. ITU-R released BT.2020 in 2012 for 4K/8K Ultra HD televisions.
