A color measuring unit that is easily mounted in a recording apparatus and measures with high accuracy. All of the elements of the color measuring are integrated into a single unit, such that the color measuring can be used independently in a separated form.The color measuring unit is equipped with a calorimeter holder holding a calorimeter. A carriage reciprocating means is connected to the calorimeter holder and has a calorimeter carriage for reciprocally moving the calorimeter holder in a column direction formed by a color measuring pattern. A pressing member in a pressing posture presses the surface of a recording member on which the color measuring pattern is recorded when measuring color. In a retreated posture, the pressing member retreats so that the recording member can be transported. A rotating and shifting means switches the pressing posture and the retreated posture of the pressing member.