What it does
ArgyllCMS is open-source software for creating colour profiles, calibrating displays and printers, linking profiles and producing video LUTs. It combines instrument support with commands for measurement, profile generation and checking results.
The display guide starts by checking that the intended screen and its video lookup tables can be accessed with dispwin. For a simple display profile, dispcal can handle adjustment, calibration and profile creation together. The more flexible route uses targen for test values, dispread for measurements and colprof for the final ICC profile.
Task guides explain how those commands fit together, while individual references cover their options. Keep the measurement files with the profile: the toolkit uses them for later checks and distinguishes complete filenames from base names to which it adds extensions.
Independent calibration of several monitors can be blocked when the operating system treats them as one screen or does not expose separate video lookup tables. Instrument choice also determines the available measurement route.
The main package uses the GNU Affero General Public License version 3. It permits running and modifying the software, with source-sharing conditions for redistribution and modified network services. Separate commercial licensing is available for the author’s code when a different licence is needed.
Strengths
- Task guides connect the measurement commands into complete profiling procedures.
- Separate test-value, measurement and profile files make the stages inspectable.
Watch out for
- The standalone toolkit requires command-line operation.
- Some multi-monitor systems do not expose independent calibration controls.
Best for
- Technical users building or troubleshooting measured colour workflows.
Sources
- Argyll Color Management System Home Page (Oct 28, 2026)
- Argyll Documentation Top (Oct 28, 2026)
- Argyll Usage Scenarios (Oct 28, 2026)
- Commercial Use and non-GPL Licensing (Oct 28, 2026)
- GNU Affero General Public License, version 3 (Oct 28, 2026)