Reference

Bit depth

Bit depth is the number of bits used to record each color channel, which sets how many distinct tones an image or video can hold. Higher bit depth (10-bit vs 8-bit) means smoother gradients and more editing headroom, but it also makes files larger.

Photos & videoGeneral

Bit depth

Also known as: color depth, 8-bit vs 10-bit, bits per channel

Bits used per color channel sets available tones
8-bit = 256 levels; 10-bit = 1,024 per channel
Higher depth = smoother gradients but larger files

More bits, more tones

Each pixel stores red, green, and blue values, and bit depth is how finely each of those is graded. 8-bit gives 256 levels per channel; 10-bit gives 1,024. More levels mean smoother transitions across skies, skin, and shadows, where 8-bit can show visible steps.

Higher bit depth records more tonal information, so files carry more data and grow larger. The increase depends on the format and compression, but at the same resolution a 10-bit clip is heavier than an 8-bit one.

When it matters

Bit depth matters most for HDR content and for footage you plan to color grade, since the extra levels resist banding when you push contrast and color. For casual photos and quick clips, 8-bit is usually indistinguishable and saves space.

On phones, 10-bit capture is tied to HDR video modes; the format used (such as ProRes or HEVC) determines how much extra storage that costs.

Related terms

Keep reading the reference.

Photos & video10-bit color10-bit color records 1,024 levels per color channel instead of the 256 that 8-bit provides, giving over a billion possible colors. The extra levels produce smoother gradients with less banding, which is why HDR video uses 10-bit — at the cost of larger files.General Photos & videoColor bandingColor banding is the visible steps or stripes that appear in what should be a smooth gradient — often across skies, shadows, or sunsets. It happens when an image has too few tonal levels to render the transition smoothly, typically from low bit depth or heavy compression.General Photos & videoHDR photoAn HDR (high dynamic range) photo blends several exposures to keep detail in both bright and dark areas of a scene. Because the camera may save extra data or multiple frames, HDR images can be somewhat larger than a single standard shot.iOSAndroid Photos & videoColor gradingColor grading is the process of adjusting a video’s color, contrast, and tone to set a look and mood. It builds on color correction, which first fixes exposure and white balance, and is often applied using LUTs (lookup tables) for a consistent style across clips.General