Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately matching colors. The color matching system includes a host computer and a color input device in communication with the host computer. Preferably the color input device is capable of obtaining spectral data, such as that obtained using a spectrophotometer. The host computer includes a color library, a color management system, a monitor, and a user interface. In one aspect of the invention, the user selects a target color, a color library to use for matching, a color distance tolerance, and a light source under which the colors are to be matched. The target color is compared to the colors in the library and the color or colors in the library that are within the specified color tolerance are reported. In a second aspect of the invention, the user selects a color and two illuminants. The color under each of the two illuminants is compared and the color distance between the two is reported.