Find the number of tonal levels and dynamic range a bit depth provides.
Each extra bit doubles tonal resolution, so 12-bit holds far more gradations than 8-bit and reduces posterization in smooth areas. Higher bit depth matters most when pushing shadows or grading, where low-precision data reveals ugly banding and contouring.
Bit Depth Tonal Steps
Tonal levels = 2^bit depth; dynamic range ~ bit depth
Tonal levels = 2^bit depth; dynamic range ~ bit depth Each extra bit doubles tonal resolution, so 12-bit holds far more gradations than 8-bit and reduces posterization in smooth areas.
Higher bit depth matters most when pushing shadows or grading, where low-precision data reveals ugly banding and contouring.
This calculator takes 1 input: Bit depth. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.