Material Palette Step Classify (50–900)

Classify actual color against independently supplied edition-specific Material numeric shade references, not infer uniform perceptual step spacing. Explicit declared color space/reference and caller applicability; not spectral equivalence, pigment mixing, press readiness or accessibility certification.

Description

Material palette step numbers label positions in an identified design-system edition.

Material palette step numbers label positions in an identified design-system edition.^[1]

Nearest supplied Lab coordinates do not establish a universal perceptual distance between numbered steps. Use Material Palette Step Classify (50–900) to evaluate the supplied inputs under the model explained below.

When to use Material Palette Step Classify (50–900)

Use Material Palette Step Classify (50–900) to evaluate the supplied inputs under the model explained below. Establish the units, measurement scope and model assumptions before entering values.

How to use Material Palette Step Classify (50–900) and understand its results

Establish the units, measurement scope and model assumptions before entering values.
Enter Caller material edition steps, Caller material same white lab, Query same white lab using the field table and validation rules below, then run the tool.
Read Nearest caller step numbers, Minimum lab distance; interpret the units, signs, ordering and unknown-value placeholders described below.
Correct reported input errors and rerun. Apply successful results according to their specific meanings and check the assumptions before using them in a decision.

Input field	Meaning	Value type	Requirement
callerMaterialEditionSteps	Caller material edition steps	array of number	Required; constraints below
callerMaterialSameWhiteLab	Caller material same white lab	array of array	Required; constraints below
querySameWhiteLab	Query same white lab	array of number	Required; constraints below

Enter at least two strictly increasing Material step numbers chosen from 50,100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900 and aligned three-component Lab swatches, plus a three-component query. Compare Euclidean distances and return all exact minimum-distance step numbers in supplied order, with the minimum distance. Accent steps are not supported; no Material edition palette is installed or color-space adaptation performed.

nearestSteps = steps whose Lab distance equals minimum; distance = Euclidean norm in supplied common-reference Lab

Use the field order, units and branch conditions described above.

Output field	Meaning	Value type
nearestCallerStepNumbers	Nearest caller step numbers	array of number
minimumLabDistance	Minimum lab distance	number

json

{
  "input": {
    "callerMaterialEditionSteps": [
      50,
      100,
      200
    ],
    "callerMaterialSameWhiteLab": [
      [
        50,
        0,
        0
      ],
      [
        50,
        3,
        4
      ],
      [
        50,
        6,
        8
      ]
    ],
    "querySameWhiteLab": [
      50,
      3,
      4
    ]
  },
  "output": {
    "nearestCallerStepNumbers": [
      100
    ],
    "minimumLabDistance": 0
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

Nearest supplied Lab coordinates do not establish a universal perceptual distance between numbered steps. Apply the exact scope and assumptions explained above.

All listed fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, incorrect types, nonfinite numbers and sparse arrays fail validation. Domain-specific bounds, alignments and supported tokens are explained above; extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. Input errors differ from successful false results, empty match lists and unknown-evidence placeholders.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Use Tailwind Palette Nearest Shade Lookup for a related task: Tailwind shade matching depends on the supplied palette edition and color coordinates.

Use X11 Nearest Color Name Lookup for a related task: An X11 color-name match requires a particular palette and coordinate convention.

References

Material Palette Step Classify (50–900) — tool.io

Similar or alternative tools

Tailwind Palette Nearest Shade Lookup
Tailwind shade matching depends on the supplied palette edition and color coordinates.
X11 Nearest Color Name Lookup
An X11 color-name match requires a particular palette and coordinate convention.