Abstract: This invention relates to a method for matching a color formulation to a color shade model in the field of a color- and/or effect-imparting surface coating. The reflecting surface of a color shade, which is to be rematched, of a colored surface coating is determined metrologically over the visible spectral region using a goniometric spectral photometer with variation of the angle of measurement. The associated standard tristimulus values and/or the vectors in the CIELAB color solid which are derived therefrom are calculated from the measured reflection factors or spectral energy factors. Those formulations and/or color shades which exhibit reflection properties or properties derived therefrom which are the most similar to the measured color shade model are subsequently identified from a formulation database by means of the reflection spectra or the calorimetric dimensional numbers derived therefrom.