The opacity of tablet film coatings containing a variety of pigments and fillers has been assessed using a contrast ratio defined as the ratio of the measured reflectance of the incident light when the film is placed on a black substrate to the measured reflectance of the incident light when the film is placed on a white substrate. Films pigmented with calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate or talc had very low contrast ratios and only the inclusion of titanium dioxide imparted opacity. Films pigmented with the coloured lake pigments had contrast ratios dependent on both the parent dye and the dye concentration with the contrast ratios decreasing blue greater than red greater than orange greater than yellow. Films pigmented with the synthetic iron oxides all had very high contrast ratios. The results are consistent with the known theories of light scattering and absorption and illustrate the potential of this accurate, rapid and simple technique in the optimization of film formulations during product development.