---
title: "Rec.2020"
url: https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/rec-2020
language: en
description: "Rec. 2020 (ITU-R BT.2020) is the color space and parameter set specified for Ultra High Definition Television (4K and 8K) and is the gamut container for..."
updated: 2026-10-25
---

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# Rec.2020

Rec. 2020 (ITU-R BT.2020) is the color space and parameter set specified for Ultra High Definition Television (4K and 8K) and is the gamut container for most modern HDR formats. Its primaries are dramatically wider than Rec.709, covering approximately 76% of the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram — including saturated greens, cyans and reds that Rec.709 simply cannot reproduce. The standard supports 10-bit and 12-bit encoding, D65 white point, and is used in conjunction with the PQ (SMPTE ST 2084) or HLG transfer functions for HDR delivery. In practice, current consumer HDR displays do not yet cover the full Rec.2020 gamut: most premium displays reach around 90% of DCI-P3, which is itself only about 70% of Rec.2020. So while masters are encoded in Rec.2020 containers, the actual reachable color volume is closer to P3-D65. This is by design — Rec.2020 acts as a future-proof container that today's displays partially fill and tomorrow's wide-gamut displays will fill more completely. Streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+) require HDR masters in Rec.2020 PQ. Grading sessions typically work in P3-D65 limited Rec.2020 (P3 limited inside Rec.2020 encoding) to match what displays can actually show today. Reference: ITU-R BT.2020-2.

Color Science, DeliveryColorist, Mastering EngineerColor Grading, Delivery

## Related terms

[Color Space](https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/color-space)[HDR (High Dynamic Range)](https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/hdr-high-dynamic-range)[Gamut](https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/gamut)

Color gamuts plotted on the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram. Wider gamut = more reproducible colors.

## Articles covering this term

* [Color Spaces: Rec.709, Rec.2020, P3, sRGB

  Deep dive into color spaces, gamuts, primaries, white points, and color science. Master Rec.709, DCI-P3, Rec.2020, and ACES for professional workflows.](https://postproduction.studio/en/image/color-spaces)
* [HDR Formats: PQ, HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision Workflows

  Complete HDR guide: PQ vs HLG curves, HDR10/HDR10+, Dolby Vision, dynamic metadata, mastering workflows, dual SDR/HDR delivery strategies.](https://postproduction.studio/en/image/hdr-formats)
* [Display Calibration: Probes, Profiling, and Drift

  Comprehensive guide to color calibration in post-production. Understand colorimeter and spectroradiometer probes, profiling software, and HDR workflows.](https://postproduction.studio/en/tools/color-calibration)
* [Dolby Vision Mastering in DaVinci Resolve: The Complete Workflow

  Master the complete Dolby Vision workflow in DaVinci Resolve: dynamic metadata, iCMU analysis, artistic trims, XML export, and three-step quality control.](https://postproduction.studio/en/image/dolby-vision-mastering-resolve)
* [Color pipeline: from set to delivery

  Master the end-to-end color pipeline in post-production. Understand on-set color management, ACES, dailies LUTs, HDR mastering, and delivery standards.](https://postproduction.studio/en/workflows/color-pipeline)
* [Reference monitors: OLED, LCD, HDR

  Technical guide to reference monitoring displays. OLED, LCD, HDR evaluation, calibration standards, viewing environments, and professional display technologies.](https://postproduction.studio/en/tools/monitoring-displays)