Best Grey Cards of 2026

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 9 Feb 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Grey cards are essential tools for photographers and videographers to achieve accurate and consistent colour balance in their work. These cards are typically made of neutral grey material and are used to set a reference point for white balance during post-processing. By taking a photo or video with the grey card in the frame, the camera can accurately adjust the colours to match the true colours of the scene. Grey cards come in various sizes and are widely used in professional photography and videography.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Lightdow 12x12" Grey/White Balance Card Cover #TOP 1
Lightdow 12x12" Grey/White Balance Card
ftb score rating icon 9.9
JJC 3-in-1 Grey Card Set for Photography Cover #TOP 2
JJC 3-in-1 Grey Card Set for Photography
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Andoer 24-Inch Foldable Grey Reference Card Cover #TOP 3
Andoer 24-Inch Foldable Grey Reference Card
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 7 Grey Cards

#TOP 1

Lightdow 12x12" Grey/White Balance Card

lightdow
LD-FB131
Grey" or "Black
Lightdow 12x12" Grey/White Balance Card Cover
Lightdow Grey Cards 12x12" (30x30cm) White Balance 18% Gray Reference Reflector Grey Card with Carry Bag [Folded Version]

The Lightdow Grey Balance Card is a versatile tool designed to simplify exposure and colour correction in various lighting conditions. With a reflectance of 17.8% and minimal deviation, it ensures accurate readings when capturing images. You will appreciate the 1/8 of F-stop error margin, which aids in achieving precise exposure settings. This double-sided card is particularly beneficial during high-pressure events like weddings or fashion shows, making it easier for you to get the perfect shot without technical hassle.

What We Like
Accurate colour correction
Compact and portable
Easy to use
Ideal for events
Durable design
#TOP 2

JJC 3-in-1 Grey Card Set for Photography

JJC
JJCGC-2
JJC 3-in-1 Grey Card Set for Photography Cover
Pocket Size 3-in-1 Grey Cards 18% White Balance Set for Digital DSLR and Film Exposure Photography Metering Card Video Color Custom Calibration Camera Checker Cards for Canon Nikon Sony

The JJC Grey Card Set is an essential tool for photographers, featuring three pocket-sized cards designed for precise colour calibration. The 18% neutral grey card, 90% reflectance white card, and black card are all crafted from durable PVC material, ensuring they are waterproof and scratch-resistant. This means you can confidently use them in various lighting conditions, both indoors and outdoors. Their compact size allows you to easily carry them in your wallet or on a keychain, making it convenient to ensure accurate colour balance on the go.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Durable and waterproof material
Multi-purpose for various photography
Essential for accurate colour calibration
#TOP 3

Andoer 24-Inch Foldable Grey Reference Card

CNO1582720096790IE
Gray
24x24 inch
Andoer 24-Inch Foldable Grey Reference Card Cover
Andoer 60cm / 24inch Foldable Grey/White Balance 18% Grey Gray Reference Reflector Card with Carrying Bag

The Andoer Grey Reference Card is designed to help you achieve accurate exposure and colour balance in your photography. By using this grey card, you can ensure consistent exposure across your shots, regardless of the light source's orientation. It also provides a reliable reference for white balance, allowing your camera to adjust for different lighting conditions. Whether you take a photo of the card for in-camera settings or use it for post-processing, this tool simplifies your photography workflow and enhances image quality.

What We Like
Ensures consistent exposure
Facilitates accurate white balance
Easy to use in various settings
Compact and portable design
#TOP 4

Fotover 3-in-1 Grey Card White Balance Set

Small Gray Card
Fotover 3-in-1 Grey Card White Balance Set Cover
Fotover Grey Card White Balance Card,3 in 1 Digital Color Correction Set 18% Exposure Photography Card for Video, DSLR and Film,2 Pack

The Fotover Grey Card Set is a handy tool for photographers and videographers looking to improve colour accuracy. Its neutral 18% grey card helps you achieve precise white balance and colour correction, ensuring your images look natural under different lighting conditions. The cards are waterproof, lightweight, and compact, making them easy to carry on any shoot. Compatible with all digital cameras, including DSLR and film, this set includes black, white, and grey cards, giving you versatile options for exposure and colour control.

What We Like
Waterproof and lightweight
Helps accurate white balance
Compact and easy to carry
Works with any digital camera
Includes black, white, grey cards
#TOP 5

Fotover Grey/White Balance Card with Pouch

GC-01
30cm x 30cm
Fotover Grey/White Balance Card with Pouch Cover
Fotover Gray/White Balance Card,12x12 Inch (30x30cm) Portable Focus Board Two Sides Double Face 18% Grey/White Balance Reference Card with Carry Pouch for Canon Nikon Sony

The Fotover Balance Card is a versatile tool for photographers, providing a standard reference for exposure determination. Its grey side helps you correct exposure, ensuring your images have the right brightness. Meanwhile, the white side is perfect for setting white balance, which can greatly improve the colour accuracy in your photos. This double-sided card simplifies the complexities of exposure and colour correction in various lighting conditions, making it an essential item for both amateurs and professionals.

What We Like
Easy exposure determination
Simplifies colour correction
Portable and convenient design
Double-sided for versatility
#TOP 6

Ares Foto Grey and White Reference Card Set

Grey and White
Graukarte: Groß
Ares Foto Grey and White Reference Card Set Cover
Grey card for manual white balance. With black and white reference card. Enables true color images in photography. Reflects 18% of the light. Neoprene cover included. 25.4 x 20.2 cm.

The Ares Foto Reference Card Set is an essential tool for digital photographers seeking to achieve true colour images. The white card allows you to perform manual white balance, eliminating unsightly colour casts in your photos. Using the grey card helps you measure correct exposure in challenging lighting conditions, ensuring your images are perfectly balanced. Lastly, the black card aids in determining the contrast range of your subjects, giving you greater control over your photographic results.

What We Like
Accurate manual white balance
Helps with exposure measurement
Improves colour matching
Includes three essential cards
#TOP 7

ChromLives 5"x4" White Balance Grey Card Set

4331906476
grey card middle
M Size
ChromLives 5"x4" White Balance Grey Card Set Cover
ChromLives White Balance Grey Card 5"x4" for Video DSLR and Film Premium 18% Exposure Photography Card Set,Black White and 18% Grey

The ChromLives Grey Card Set is a handy tool for photographers and videographers looking to perfect their exposure and colour balance. The grey card helps you achieve accurate exposure by balancing complex lighting to an 18% neutral grey, ensuring your shots are neither too bright nor too dark. The white card is excellent for setting white balance and can also serve as a reflector, adding subtle light to your scenes. Meanwhile, the black card is useful when shooting outdoors, helping to reduce stray light and balance the overall light ratio. Compact and lightweight, this set is ideal for DSLR, video, and film work.

What We Like
Accurate exposure detection
Defines white balance
Reduces stray light outdoors
Compact and lightweight
Includes three useful cards
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does a grey card do?

What is a Grey Card? A grey card is designed to help photographers to adjust their exposure and white balance settings consistently by providing a reference point. This reference point will set a white balance, or color balance, point for a particular image set and all images captured thereafter.

2. What grey is a grey card?

A grey card is 18% grey to be exact. This corresponds to a mid-grey, the middle point between the darkest shadows and the brightest highlights. The light reflected from an 18% grey is what your camera meter understand as “normal” exposure.

3. What does an 18% gray card do?

As you can see, the 18% gray card is meant to calibrate the light meter inside your camera. As a matter of fact, it is a sort of substitute for a hand held light meter, that measures the light that falls on the subject itself. If you use the gray card for calibrating the white balance, just continue to do so.

Editor's Notes

During our grey card research, we found 67 grey card products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 39,594 customer reviews through our big data system to write the grey cards list. We found that most customers choose grey cards with an average price of £10.25.

The grey cards are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of grey cards, including lightdow, JJC, Andoer, Fotover, Ares Foto.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.