# A Better Default Colormap for Matplotlib

Canonical URL: https://colorcurio.us/library/mpl-colormaps
Source type: Library entry
Resource URL: https://bids.github.io/colormap/
Added: 2026-01-04

## Summary

The case for viridis: why jet misleads, and the perceptual constraints on a good default.

- Resource: [A Better Default Colormap for Matplotlib](https://bids.github.io/colormap/)
- By: Nathaniel Smith & Stéfan van der Walt
- Published: 2015
- Kind: writing (article)
- Level: advanced
- Tags: color-scales, perception, data-viz, cam16, scientist, research

## In collections

- [Perceptual Colormaps](https://colorcurio.us/library/collections/perceptual-colormaps)

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