ISO 11664-4:2008 specifies the method of calculating the coordinates of the CIE 1976 L*a*b* colour space including correlates of lightness, chroma and hue. It includes two methods for calculating Euclidean distances in this space to represent the perceived magnitude of colour differences.

ISO 11664-4:2008 is applicable to tristimulus values calculated using colour-matching functions of the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric system or the CIE 1964 standard colorimetric system. ISO 11664-4:2008 may be used for the specification of colour stimuli perceived as belonging to a reflecting or transmitting object, where a three-dimensional space more uniform than tristimulus space is required. It does not apply to colour stimuli perceived as belonging to an area that appears to be emitting light as a primary light source, or that appears to be specularly reflecting such light. ISO 11664-4:2008 does apply to self-luminous displays, like cathode ray tubes, if they are being used to simulate reflecting or transmitting objects and if the stimuli are appropriately normalized.