> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/main-5/color/color-use/diverging-color-scales.md).

# Diverging Color Scales

A diverging color scale is designed to represent quantitative values that are above and below a certain threshold.

For example, altitude above and below the sea level, comparing the percentage of votes for two candidates etc.\
![](https://192301203-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M5-0RG_uqhxyMNjpMUW%2F-M5-0SvQ45Rarxg8L2lA%2F-M5-0VHaCtcvqTsynjY7%2Fvotes%20diverging%20scale.PNG?generation=1586990825445491\&alt=media)

## The Desired Properties of a Diverging Color Scale

Technically speaking, the properties are the same as for a quantitative or categorical color scale: **uniformity** and **discriminability**.

We use **two hues** that are easily distinguishable, with the same **luminance ramp** on both sides (i.e. the change in intensity from the center to one direction must be the same as that from the center to the other direction).

We can create a diverging color scale by combining two individual quantitative color scales that have different hues but the same luminance gradient/steps.

For example, we can combine a quantitative color scale with a red hue with another quantitative color scale that has a blue hue to generate a diverging color scale:\
![](https://192301203-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M5-0RG_uqhxyMNjpMUW%2F-M5-0SvQ45Rarxg8L2lA%2F-M5-0VHcd0Jl40pdh9Z8%2Fred.PNG?generation=1586990825415357\&alt=media)\
![](https://192301203-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M5-0RG_uqhxyMNjpMUW%2F-M5-0SvQ45Rarxg8L2lA%2F-M5-0VHey05E_egSmwI8%2Fblue.PNG?generation=1586990825120246\&alt=media)\
![](https://192301203-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M5-0RG_uqhxyMNjpMUW%2F-M5-0SvQ45Rarxg8L2lA%2F-M5-0VHgQY7Gg2t9NBne%2Fdiverging.PNG?generation=1586990825461425\&alt=media)