Guideline for choosing the right scientific colour map for any given dataset. For effective data representation, the nature of a given data set has to be matched by a suitable colour map gradient- and palette type, and colour combination; the flow chart provides clear instruction for when to choose which one of them. See all available colour map types on https://s-ink.org/colour-palette-and-gradient-types. All different types of scientific colour maps are available from www.fabiocrameri.ch/colourmaps.
* Please not that the original version published in Nature Communications has a typo suggesting falsely to use dark colours for central values of diverging colour gradients, which has been corrected here (thanks to Lars-Henrik Snow).
- Creator: Fabio Crameri
- Original version: 28.10.2021
- This version: 03.02.2026
- License: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Specific citation: This graphics guideline by Fabio Crameri from Crameri et al. (2020) is available via the open-access s-ink.org repository.
- Related reference: Crameri, F., G.E. Shephard, and P.J. Heron (2020), The misuse of colour in science communication, Nature Communications, 11, 5444. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19160-7
- Vector format
- Colour-vision deficiency friendly
- Readable in black&white
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