Statement of Problem: Visual shade selection is a subjective process depending on the skill of operator, eye fatigue, lightening conditions along with many other factors. Purpose: To test the difference between the visual and the instrumental shade selection techniques. Materials and methods: Shade selection of maxillary right central incisor of 32 randomly-chosen students was performed visually by comparing to VITA 3D-Master Linearguide (VITA Zahnfabrik H), and instrumentally using an intraoral spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade Compact). Color Difference (ΔE) was calculated according to the equation: ∆E = [(L – L )2unacceptable. + (a1 – a2) + (b – b )2]1/2. ΔE values more than 2.7 were considered clinically. Results: High ΔE values mean values (9.65) between visual and instrumental techniques, resulted in clinically unacceptable results. Conclusion: Color difference between human-eye and computerized color matching was perceivable under clinical settings, as delta E values were higher than the acceptability threshold. Clinical Implications: Further advancements are needed in both the shade guide ranges and the instrumental shade measuring devices to get more accurate close results. Keywords: Spectrophotometer, Easyshade, Visual, Acceptability threshold, Delta E.